Costa steers Conte’s Chelsea to winning start

But the Brazil-born Spain global was fortunate to be on the pitch, having earlier caught West Ham goalkeeper Adrian with a late challenge after he had already received a yellow card.

“I think in the situation with Adriano the referee took the right decision”.

“We know Diego is a passionate man, and he puts passion into everything he does. I think the referee took the right decision”.

The bruising Costa s goal made it a positive opening night for Conte, who handed a full debut to former Leicester City man N Golo Kante and saw another debutant, substitute Michy Batshuayi, set up the winning strike.

The home team did suffer a scare when the bearded Costa, looking like a swashbuckling pirate, threw himself into a studs up challenge with Adrian and was lucky not to get a red card. It was not deliberate. But it was very late.

“We deserved this victory because we created a lot of chances”.

The France worldwide was booked in the third minute for an untidy foul on Andy Carroll, but he grew into the game and Conte hailed his “fantastic stamina”.

The Belgian winger looked alert and risky throughout, going close to breaking the deadlock with a curling effort and then putting Chelsea ahead with an emphatic penalty.

“I think the team played a good game with a great intensity and spirit”, said Conte.

After being hugged by fans – many of whom have still to come to terms with the sacking a year ago of the club’s most successful manager Jose Mourinho – Conte said he believed his approach was working well. “I play the game with my players during the match, and share the joy of the goal three minutes from the end with the fans”.

“When a new manager arrives in a new club, he tries to bring with him his philosophy of football”, Conte said. “We are happy, but I’m happy for the performance of all the Chelsea players”.

“I didn’t see it”, explained the new boss.

He continued: “I only knew the league through television and having played against English teams in the Champions League and Europa League, but it is very hard”.

“I hope to work with the players to repay the fans”.

“We have to wait on Andre Ayew”, said the Croat, whose side travel to Romania on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League qualifier against Astra Giurgiu. One thing is certain, Conte, like his predecessor Jose Mourinho, is not afraid to upset big personalities. But you never know. “It is a thigh injury and we will find out after the scan tomorrow”.