STOKE-ON-TRENT, UK: Chelsea manager Antonio Conte described Diego Costa as an example to his teammates after the Premier League leaders went 13 points clear with a 2-1 win at Stoke City. The infamously feisty Costa, dropped in January after reports of a row with Conte, was left walking a disciplinary tightrope after being booked for simulation in the 16th minute of Saturday’s game at the Bet365 Stadium. “It’s not easy when you receive a yellow card after a few minutes,” said Conte, whose side prevailed courtesy of an 87th-minute winner by center-back Gary Cahill. “I think Diego is showing not only in this game that you have to be very disciplined. Chelsea looked the more likely winners in the second half as Marcos Alonso and Costa hit the woodwork and Stoke goalkeeper Lee Grant denied Pedro.

Source: Manila Times March 19, 2017 00:56 UTC