Chelsea 2-2 West Brom: Diego Costa behaviour could lead to misconduct charge after Stamford Bridge fracas

Chelsea striker Diego Costa's behaviour in the Premier League draw with West Bromwich Albion could see the Premier League strugglers hit with a misconduct charge. The Spain international was at the centre of a highly charged game at Stamford Bridge which saw him continually on the case of referee Anthony Taylor.

Costa was left fuming at half time as Taylor blew the whistle for the break with the Blues on the counter-attack – and his frustration boiled over in the second period. The 27-year-old had numerous clashes with Baggies defender Jonas Olsson, pleaded for Claudio Yacob to be sent off, confronted goalkeeper Boaz Myhill at full time and even risked being red carded himself.

The former Atletico Madrid forward was booked for a rash tackle in the 49<sup>th minute on Craig Gardner and trod a thin line for the rest of the game. After seeing James McClean net a late equaliser to secure a point for Tony Pulis' side, Costa then punctured the wall of the Chelsea tunnel as both teams left the field.

Though the Football Association could take action against Costa they are more likely to punish Chelsea and West Brom for failing to control their players during a game where there were several high-profile flashpoints. Costa may even be internally punished after damaging the tunnel, though that is unlikely after manager Guus Hiddink laughed off the incident.

"I think there was a little space left," he told reporters after the game, according to Goal.com. "The central defenders were provoking him and he was causing danger continuously. It [the aggression] was mutual. They were challenging each other. I didn't see any bad things. If you have to push the players it's difficult to survive in the Premier League. Every now and then if you have to control them it's much better."

When asked about the tunnel incident, Hiddink replioed: "Well we can repair that easily! It's not a big problem. He's an emotional guy and I like that very much. If you have to push the players then I think it's difficult to survive in the Premier League but every now and then if you have to control them it's even better."

Taylor will submit his match report from the game in the next 24 hours and the FA will take into consideration his account of events before deciding whether to take action. Chelsea were hit with a £50,000 fine for misconduct following defeat to West Ham United in October after "failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion".