Diego Costa's greatest wind-ups that saw Chelsea legend crowned 'King S***house'
Diego Costa spent his three years at Chelsea pulling, kicking and snarling at defenders - and Daily Star Sport has a look at his biggest s***house moments on his birthday
The name Diego Costa might still send a shiver down Premier League defenders' spines.
While Costa's powers might have waned during his swansong on these shores with Wolves, during his three seasons at Chelsea he pulled, kicked and snarled at defenders, while always getting up close and personal with his opposing counterparts.
Bagging 52 league goals and lifting two titles with the Blues means he will forever be remembered as a Stamford Bridge legend. And as he celebrates his 36th birthday today (Monday, October 7), Daily Star Sport has taken a look at some of his shinning moments that saw him named as the Premier League's "King S***house".
Against Gabriel
Infamously in a game against Arsenal in 2015, Costa riled up opponent Gabriel Paulista, causing the Brazilian to be given his marching orders.However, Costa wasn't off the hook - and he was slapped with a retrospective ban for his actions. The FA said: "Both clubs have been charged for failing to control their players under FA Rule E20."
It makes for one of the most memorable Costa moments - and microcosm of what he is all about: s***house perfection personified.
Against Benfica
In 2007, when Costa was at Braga on loan from Atletico Madrid, he gave the world a little taste of what was to come.
Chasing the ball with an opponent bearing down, Costa stuck out a foot and slammed right into the knee of an unsuspecting Benfica player. Not even a foul was given by the referee, who gestured for play to continue.
We're not sure quite how he got away with that one.
Against Gareth Barry
When Everton faced off against Chelsea and the Blues were 2-0 down at Goodison Park, tempers flared.
With the ball at his feet, Costa tried to skip past Barry, only the midfielder took a swipe at his legs. It seemed a delicate move, but Costa went down nonetheless.
The striker and the veteran player squared off, with, at one point Costa appearing to try and a bite of Barry’s neck. The referee saw this one and sent the Spaniard off.
Against Emre Can
While at Chelsea again - maybe it was something in the water there - Costa made a sly stamp on Emre Can when he was on the ground.
The Liverpool midfielder went down by the touchline and chasing the ball nearby, Costa used Can’s shin as leverage to get towards it.
He was given another retrospective ban for his deed.
Against Tottenham
The Battle of Stamford Bridge will go down as one of the most legendary matches to come out of the Premier League.
Costa did not have a huge part to play, but he certainly added to it.
In a tussle with Jan Vertonghen, the striker got frustrated and shoved his face into the Tottenham defender’s own. But it was the Belgian that somehow found himself with the yellow card.
Against Xabi Alonso
During the 2014 World Cup and clearly bored on the substitutes bench, Costa thought it would be a good idea to start waxing his team-mate.
Xabi Alonso looked over, feeling something on his leg, only to see Costa attempting to alleviate hair from his thigh.
He did not seem to mind much, though.
Against Sergio Ramos
That’s right - even some of the biggest s***houses get s***housed themselves.
Step forward Sergio Ramos, who felt the wrath of Costa just months after the defender had ‘injured’ Mohamed Salah in the Champions League final.
In the UEFA Super Cup, Costa, then playing for Atletico Madrid gave Ramos a sly kick to the head when he was on the ground.