The taming of Diego Costa

As Diego Costa prepares to serve his first suspension of the season, when Chelsea play Bournemouth at 3pm today, the debate over whether Antonio Conte has managed to tame the Premier League’s most explosive talent could still be the key to how the title race pans out.

Ever since the Spanish international arrived at Stamford Bridge the ‘Costa Conundrum’ has dogged successive coaches. How do you bottle the passion, aggression, and desire to win of the highly talented striker without it spilling over into the antics of what has become football’s favourite pantomime villain?

So far, Conte seems to have got the balance just right because although Costa has racked up five bookings, resulting in a one-match ban, he has still been the driving force behind Chelsea’s rise to the top of the table as they head into the Christmas programme.