Antonio Conte calls for Costa focus

Watford 1 Chelsea 2: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has begun the unenviable task of remoulding the psychological make-up of Diego Costa and the controversial striker again proved his worth with a second late winner in a week.

Costa has been a dilemma for successive Chelsea managers who have had to balance his undoubted talent and ability to impact a game with his flawed character and short fuse which has made him a constant target for referees and a season ticket holder for FA disciplinary hearings.

Even Jose Mourinho, who rather enjoys an abrasive attitude, found Costa too hot to handle and the striker’s dramatic loss of form — and apparent drop in motivation — contributed to the Special One’s departure from Stamford Bridge.