Guus Hiddink has defended hot-headed striker Diego Costa after his display at West Brom. Costa missed a chance early on, failing to make it four goals in five appearances for the Blues and seemed to take it out on the West Brom team, getting booked for a rash challenge on Baggies midfielder Craig Gardner. He also confronted West Brom goalie Boaz Myhill. Hiddink has recently implored the forward to deal with his emotions in a more positive manner.

"He is full of temperament and he is very vertical in his way of playing, said Hiddink. "He has done this for many weeks and I like this play very much."

"How close to the line was he? I think there was little space left," he joked. "But no, they were challenging each other. The defenders, and that's their right, were provoking him a little bit, but in a mutual way. Those clashes are normal. I didn't see any bad things."

"He's an emotional guy and I like that very much. If you have to push players it's difficult to survive in the Premier League, but if you have to control them it's much better," added Hiddink.

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