Chelsea suffered a 2-0 loss to Everton in the FA Cup quarter-finals last night thanks to two wonderful goals scored by former striker Romelu Lukaku. However, the main talking point of the game was Diego Costa’s red card against the Toffees.
Gareth Barry and Diego Costa clashed late in the second half which led to the Spaniard’s dismissal. Replay’s of the pair’s clash seemed to show Diego Costa sinking his teeth into Barry’s neck.
Costa was subsequently shown a second yellow card - with Barry later sent off himself for a second bookable offence - but while the forward expressed regret over the confrontation, he has rebuffed claims he tried to bite the 35-year-old.
However, Chelsea denied allegations that Costa had bitten Barry.
A Chelsea spokesman said: "Diego spoke to club officials after the game and expressed regret over his reaction to the challenge from Gareth Barry that led to his red card, but Diego was also very clear that he did not bite him at any point during that altercation."
Hiddink jokes about Costa’s red card
Guus Hiddink joked about Diego Costa’s dismissal but he also said that the forward was provoked throughout the match. When asked if Costa was in need of anger management, Hiddink replied:
"There's a film about that with Jack Nicholson. I've seen the film, maybe we go and watch it together.
"I haven't seen it [the incident] so far, then I will give fair judgement. It's difficult now for me to say yes or no in this incident. He was chased a bit in the game as well.
"They went after him, they knew it and it's within the rules, but also as a referee you must protect a bit the situation, knowing and feeling the atmosphere when there are...a multitude of little provocations.
"Then comes the moment where I like to give judgement, but I haven't seen it and I'm speculating."
Hiddink was optimistic and he was pleased Chelsea were at least out of the relegation places.
The defeat to Everton marked Hiddink’s first domestic loss after he took over as interim manager from Jose Mourinho in December. Fans will be hoping that whoever replaces Hiddink in the summer will bring Chelsea domestic and European triumphs once again.
