BBC Pundit Gary Lineker has come to the defence of Chelsea striker Diego Costa following the events in the derby at Stamford Bridge between the Blues and Arsenal on Saturday afternoon – the game ended 2-0 to Jose Mourinho’s side.
Arsene Wenger wasn’t happy in his post-match conference in west London, suggesting that the Spanish striker should have seen red for his involvement in the incidents between himself, Laurent Koscielny and then Gabriel Paulista who received the first red card of the game.
Following the match, Wenger was speaking to The Express and said:
Costa can do what he wants and he stays on while everyone who responds to him has to be sent off.
I think his behaviour is unacceptable. Look at the pictures and what he does to Laurent Koscielny. He pushes him down and hits him in the face before the throw in. And he always gets away with it. It’s surprising.
However, Match of the Day presenter Lineker has come to the defence of the ex-Atletico Madrid striker. Blues boss Mourinho also suggested that Costa was his Man of the Match and ‘played how he needed to play.’
Talking on the BBC One programme, ex-Spurs and England striker Lineker said:
Diego Costa may be the world’s grumpiest, most annoying striker, but you would always choose to play with him rather than against him.
He’s a real street fighter, and let’s not forget that he’s also a proven goalscorer.
