Following their midweek exit from the Champions League at the hands of PSG, Chelsea’s last hopes of a trophy this season came to an end at Goodison Park on Saturday evening, with the Blues beaten 2-0. Chelsea cast-off Romelu Lukaku was the star of the show, netting both goals for the hosts while Diego Costa was at his petulant worst once again, seeing red late on after seemingly biting Gareth Barry.
The first of Lukaku’s two goals came on 77 minutes, and it was a superb solo effort, encapsulating the Belgian’s mix of power and finesse…
Contender for #EmiratesFACup goal of the season?@RomeluLukaku9 🔥 https://t.co/2lXZ1hcCaT
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 12, 2016
Lukaku netted a second on 82 minutes to all but kill off the tie before Costa, already on a yellow after a performance full of histrionics, reacted to a challenge from Gareth Barry, with what appeared to be a bite on the Everton player’s neck…
.@diegocosta appears to bite Gareth Barry before the @ChelseaFC striker is given his marching orders. #EmiratesFACup https://t.co/XeRtZkg8B7
— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 12, 2016
Costa may well have changed his mind just before sinking his teeth into Barry’s neck, but his reaction was enough for referee Michael Oliver to brandish a second yellow and send the Spaniard off.
All in all a bad week for Guus Hiddink and co., with much rebuilding work to be done by the club in the summer. While in the more immediate future, Costa could well be looking at a lengthy ban.