Despite an unsavoury ending, Diego Costa was a great striker for Chelsea. After 59 goals, here are his top 10 efforts for the Blues.
Diego Costa and Chelsea have finally parted ways. Even though the divorce was messy, Costa was a great servant for the Blues, contributing significantly to two Premier League titles. With 59 goals during his three (active) seasons in West London, here are his best 15 efforts.
10. Chelsea v Newcastle, January 2015
This goal was a delightful team effort that summed up the entertaining football Chelsea played throughout most of the 2014/15 campaign. Hazard lifted the ball into Oscar, who attempted an audacious heel flick. It was inch perfect into the path of Diego Costa who feinted once before driving the ball into the near corner. A fantastic move from the Blues.
Chelsea won 2-0 to end a shaky run in which they had lost and drawn their previous two games. However, it would also be the club’s tenth successive Premier League win at Stamford Bridge.
9. Chelsea v Stoke City, December 2016
This was a goal that showed off Costa’s immense strength. A throw in was nodded fairly harmlessly towards the box. However, Costa had other ideas. He put himself about and managed to get the ball under control. He then bowled over the Stoke defender before thundering the ball into the back of the net with his left foot.
This would be the icing on the cake in a 4-2 win that saw Chelsea register a record-tying 13th straight victory. Chelsea headed into 2017 six points clear of their rivals.
8. Chelsea v Arsenal, October 2014
Costa made a blistering start to his Chelsea career, hitting the back of the net regularly in the first few games. The new striker would deliver the goods in October’s big clash with Arsenal as well. Cesc Fabregas, also in his first Blues campaign, showed off his long-range passing skills. The ball went over the top to a marauding Costa. A fantastic touch with his chest set the ball up perfectly to be lifted over Wojciech Szczesny’s head.
The eventual 2-0 win would extend Chelsea’s unbeaten start to seven games and put them five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table.
7. Hull City v Chelsea, October 2016
Chelsea ushered in a new era within a relatively new era against Hull City on this day. This was the first game after the Arsenal loss and the first game where the Blues started in the 3-4-3. Costa sealed the win with a second half goal to begin a record winning streak. Nemanja Matic’s driving run ended with an blocked effort that fell to Costa. The striker hit it first time, curling the ball beautifully into the top corner.
The rest, as they say, is history.
6. Chelsea v West Ham, December 2014
On Boxing Day, Costa shared his passion for festive fireworks with a cracking effort against West Ham. Tenacious work saw the Blues win the ball back in midfield. Eden Hazard then passed it to Costa, who was 25 yards from goal. The striker put his head down, taking on the Hammers defence. With one cutback, he sold three defenders down a river before applying a tidy left-footed finish into the far corner.
A 2-0 victory meant that Chelsea would start 2015 at the summit of the Premier League.
5. Hull City v Chelsea, March 2015
Chelsea made a fast start to this Premier League clash with Hull City, taking a two-goal lead within ten minutes. Costa got the second of the contest with a fantastic right-footed finish. The midfield won the ball and quickly fed Costa down the channel. Instead of cutting the ball back to a supporting midfielder, he simply opened his body and picked out the far corner. Finesse.
Hull made life difficult for the Blues, levelling the score at 2-2. A late Loic Remy winner ensured that Chelsea remained in a dominant position at the top of the table.
4. Chelsea v West Brom, December 2016
This goal showcased all of Costa’s talents. The forward pressured Gareth McAuley on the flank and out-muscled the West Brom man. He then powered towards the net before applying a tidy and finessed finish.
This was the spark Chelsea needed in this game as it would be the only goal. The Blues ninth successive Premier League win maintained their breathing room at the top of the Premier League table.
3. Manchester City v Chelsea, December 2016
Fabregas and Costa connected once again at the Etihad in December 2016. The former played another wonderful long ball forward to pick out the latter. There was still a lot to do, though. Costa superbly controlled the ball with his chest, taking it inside Nicolas Otamendi. He then held off the City defender to finish neatly and draw the Blues level.
Chelsea would score two more to secure a 3-1 win. Their eighth consecutive win cemented their place at the top of the table.
2. Chelsea v Southampton, April 2017
The most recent goal on this list is probably the easiest on the eye. Costa finished off a sumptuous team move to score his second of the game in an eventual 4-2 win. Starting with the ball, Costa played a one-two with Eden Hazard before a one-two with Pedro. All passes were with the first touch before Costa took an extra one to steady himself. Another neat finish with his right foot had the Stamford Bridge crowd on their feet.
Chelsea had dispatched a potentially difficult team to inch ever closer to the title.
1. Southampton v Chelsea, October 2016
Chelsea moved up the table into the Champions League spots with this win. With the 3-4-3 proving to be a formidable tactical set-up, the Blues racked up their fourth consecutive win with this 2-0 victory. Hazard shifted the ball to Costa on the edge of the box. The forward then shaped up and struck a delicious right-footed curler into the far corner. It was the type of goal that epitomised the club’s newfound confidence.
Next: Chelsea FC’s 50 Greatest Players Of All-Time
That’s our list, but do you agree? Let us know your favourite Diego Costa goals in the comments below!