Chelsea match-winner Diego Costa ‘not yet at his best’

Not only is he the top goalscorer in the Premier League at the moment with 12 goals and five assists, but Conte has managed to tame the fiery Brazilian-born Spain global too.

Costa, the division’s top scorer, produced a worthy victor, robbing Gareth McAuley before blasting home in style. Nine of Sunderland’s 15 league games (and six of seven at home) have gone over the 2.5-goal line, as have 11 of Chelsea‘s 15.

Antonio Conte’s side had been knocked out of first place by Arsenal on Saturday, but they reopened a three point lead over the Gunners thanks to Costa’s superb finish in the closing stages at Stamford Bridge.

Albion were unlucky not to take what would have been an impressive point after stifling Chelsea for long periods and boss Tony Pulis was impressed with the way his team matched the leaders. City pulled two late goals back through Aleksandr Kolarov and Nolito.

Antonio Conte has laughed off suggestions Chelsea could face a points deduction for their conduct in the mass brawl following their 3-1 win at Manchester City.

Where Pedro had consistently drifted beyond Costa to hand the hitman extra room, now Moses stuck steadfastly to the inside-left.

Conte also hailed Cesc Fabregas’ impact in the Chelsea win.

“Therefore it’s very important when Sunderland do get the chance they actually get out quickly”.

Costa mugged McAuley on the right flank, tore into the box and unleashed an unstoppable drive into the top-left corner.

An unfazed Conte dismissed the notion though, claiming Chelsea are a cleaner side than in the past.

Chelsea were most recently fined for failing to control their players following the ill-tempered London derby with Tottenham at the end of last term. Costa, again, has proved to be a handful for Premier League defences this campaign and this time West Brom defenders Jonny Evans and McAuley could not stop him.

Chelsea are understandable favourites to win this one and can be backed at [1.36], with the draw at [5.7] and the home victory a massive [11.0].

United remain one of the two current Premier League teams that Kane, last season’s top marksman, has yet to score against.

Chelsea are on a run of four successive Premier League away victories and will be looking to win five in a row on the road for the first time since April 2015.

Jermain Defoe has scored against Chelsea with four different Premier League clubs, the only player to have done this (West Ham, Tottenham, Portsmouth and Sunderland).

– The Blues recorded its highest share of possession in a Premier League game this season (66.9 per cent).

Costa is finding himself at the top position in the leaderboard with 12 goals and it seems that he has got his form of the first season in England back.

Since Conte switched to a 3-4-3 formation following a 3-0 loss at Arsenal on September 24, Chelsea hasn’t dropped a point and is three points clear of second-placed Arsenal.