Football: Mourinho concerned over Costa baiting

Chelsea's Diego Costa exchanges words with Everton goalkeeper Tim Howrad during Chelsea's 6-3 win over Everton at Goodison Park. Photo / Getty Images

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho hailed Diego Costa as the complete striker after his side's 6-3 Premier League win over Everton but is concerned opponents will try to get the Spain international sent off.

Brazil-born Costa scored twice in a thrilling match at Goodison Park to take his tally to four goals in three games, and maintained Chelsea's winning start to the season.

Mourinho bought Costa for NZ$63.5 million from Atletico Madrid during the close season to add more firepower to a Chelsea side that managed 71 goals last season.

That figure was way behind champions Manchester City (102) and runners-up Liverpool (101) in the last campaign, but Mourinho expects more with a lethal finisher in his side.

"It was the complete performance of a striker," Mourinho said. "The perfect performance in every aspect.

"In the first half he was tackling, he recovers balls, he holds the ball, and his movement was quality. Everything was really good.

"Diego had three chances and he scored two goals. He is a good finisher and he gives us a lot. In the end we are killers in attack."

Mourinho was, however, disappointed with the manner in which Everton's players attempted to provoke Costa during the game which earned him a booking.

"I was not happy with the way some Everton players tried to create problems with Diego," he added.

"I don't think it is in keeping with the Everton team, because they are positive in every aspect, to be chasing cards for a player who was here to play football."

Everton manager Roberto Martinez responded to Mourinho's criticism, adamant that Costa must learn to adjust to the different sporting ethos of the Premier League.

"I am disappointed if a manager is complaining about the attitude of the players," Martinez added.

"I think certain foreign players when they come to the Premier League need to understand the ethics and the culture.

"That's something he (Costa) will learn about. There is a professionalism in this league which he needs to understand."

- AAP