7 truths: Diego Costa’s gift for goading, handshakes don’t matter

Published 19/09/2015 at 19:29 GMT

We glance back at a turbulent day of Premier League action, with Diego Costa’s antics, a handshake and Manchester City’s defeat taking precedent.

Chelsea's Diego Costa clashes with Arsenal's Gabriel Paulista

Image credit: Reuters

1) Diego Costa is a deplorable character… but he’s exceptional at goading

While Kurt Zouma was popping open his champagne, the real match-winner was silently nursing his battle wounds in the dressing room. Diego Costa’s proclivity for riling opposition players had worked again. Realising Laurent Koscielny wasn’t game for provocation, the Spaniard switched targets to Gabriel, who was all too keen to play the victim. Flash forward 30 seconds and it was mission accomplished: Arsenal were down to 10 men.

Make no mistake, Costa knew exactly what he was doing. An astonishing statistic circulated moments after his flailing arm had caught Gabriel plumb in the face: Costa, despite his penchant for needless aggression and theatrics, hadn’t been sent off since 2012. Why? Because there’s intelligence to how he prowls around, acutely aware of the official’s line of sight. He might get the odd retrospective ban, but his ability to avoid an early bath is uncanny – and it was the chief reason Chelsea defeated Arsenal.

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Gabriel, Diego Costa

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2) The title race isn’t over!

If you haven’t uttered the words ‘Man City already have the title sewn up’ (or similar), then you’re only lying to yourself. However, after all the 'one-horse race' chat, it might actually turn into a proper contest. While Manchester United and Arsenal probably don’t have enough quality to mount a serious challenge, Chelsea showed notable signs of improvement on Saturday – admittedly, against stretched opposition. Meanwhile, City looked ropey in defence, a bit short in attack – similar to their defeat against Juventus in midweek – to hint that they’re far from a complete article. It’s alive. Repeat: the Premier League race is alive.

Diafra Sakho scores the second goal for West Ham

Image credit: Reuters

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3) North east could be without Premier League football

The Championship could play host to one of football’s most passionate derbies next season unless Newcastle and/or Sunderland sort it out. A wave of sack rumours will undoubtedly flood the Sunday papers in the north east, with Steve McClaren and Dick Advocaat likely rueing their decisions to take on their respective jobs. Neither team has won a game – and they already look in danger of being cut adrift. Perversely, the region might have to pin its hopes of Premier League football on Middlesbrough (currently second in the Championship).

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren and assistant manager Paul Simpson look dejected

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4) West Ham have sussed out the giants

The last team to win at the Emirates, Anfield and the Etihad in the same season? Chelsea in 2005/06. They went onto lift the Premier League title. While West Ham will struggle to convert that omen into the unlikeliest of trophies, they appear to have discovered the perfect recipe to beat giants on their own patch.

Step one: fly out the traps
Step two: build a first-half lead
Step three: get very physical
Step four: continue to threaten on the counter-attack
Step five: defend, defend, defend

Sounds simple, yet very few teams pull it off. Slaven Bilic’s decision to effectively forfeit the Europa League and focus on the top-flight already looks like a masterstroke.

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic

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5) Claudio Ranieri isn’t only a comedy character

Scrawl off Andre Ayew or Dimitri Payet from your ‘signing of the season’ nomination form. The leading man of 2015/16 is obvious: Claudio Ranieri. Tipped by many to go down at the start of the season, Leicester have been the outstanding outfit and remain the only unbeaten team after six matches. Ranieri’s reputation has been built as much on quirky sound bites as managerial achievement, but the fact is he’s got a mediocre side – fuelled by the emergence of Riyad Mahrez – looking like top half shoo-ins. Their first proper test arrives next weekend against Arsenal, but on their current form an upset would hardly be startling.

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri

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6) Turns out Victor Moses is quality

Agent Moses, reporting for duty. The on-loan Chelsea winger was a menace for West Ham at the Etihad, crafting a wonderful opening goal and looking dangerous throughout. Moses, who actually impressed for the Blues in pre-season, has been in scintillating form. And he’s still only 24 - suggesting he's far from a spent force. He could be the difference between a European berth and a solid mid-table finish.

Victor Moses scores the first goal for West Ham

Image credit: Reuters

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7) Handshakes shouldn’t matter

It was one of sport’s most ridiculous ‘will they, won’t they’ episodes. Does anyone actually care if Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho prove their mutual distaste by ignoring the pre-match rituals? Acts of fake conciliation only serve to dampen the true gestures, yet it seemed the pair were practically forced into a handshake before kick-off. But aren’t football managers role models, we hear you cry? Come off it… Anyone looking to the ‘beautiful game’ for heroes is asking to be let down.