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Guus Hiddink has vowed to protect Diego Costa from the kind of criticism that drove Luis Suarez out of English football.
Although the Chelsea striker will not face charges after Everton midfielder Gareth Barry confirmed Costa had not bitten him during the FA Cup quarter-final on Saturday, he may still face disciplinary action. The Football Association confirmed it would be investigating Costa’s refusal to leave the pitch after being ordered off by referee Michael Oliver for a second yellow card following the altercation with Barry.
Hiddink argued that there should be a pause for reflection before the player is condemned as former Liverpool striker Suarez was. “It is easy to attack someone you don’t know, although he has committed errors,” said the Chelsea manager. “It is too easy when people gather and start punching someone figuratively. I will analyse what he has done and then try to protect the individual.”
Everton vs Chelsea - player ratingsShow all 22 1 /22Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings EVERTON: Joel Robles - 7 out of 10 Very quiet night for Robles, looked solid when called upon.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Seamus Coleman- 8 out of 10 Superb performance defensively from the Irishman, a thundering tackle on Pedro early on and a superb defensive header to deny Costa in the second half were real stand out moments from the full back. Also linked up well with Lennon on the Everton right.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Ramiro Funes Mori - 7 out of 10 Offered a threat from set-pieces and came agonisingly close to opening the scoring with a header from a corner early in the second half. Defended well alongside Jagielka.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Phil Jagielka - 8 out of 10 Rose to the challenge presented by Diego Costa, put in some huge tackles and led the Everton defensive line well.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Leighton Baines - 7 out of 10 The England full-back in only his second game back from injury looked solid. Typically assured at full-back and a threat with his set piece delivery.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings James McCarthy - 8 out of 10 Excellent performance from the Irishman, shackled Willian and linked up the play very well.
Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Gareth Barry - 7 out of 10 Found himself in the middle of a couple of flash points with Diego Costa which earned him a yellow before a reckless challenge saw him sent off. Had played well and broken up several Chelsea counter attacks up to that point.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Tom Cleverley - 7 out of 10 Recycled possession well for the home side and looked an assured presence in a frantic midfield.
Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Ross Barkley - 7 out of 10 A good game from Barkley, he won his personal duel with Fabregas and grew into the game in the second half.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Aaron Lennon - 7 out of 10 Enjoyed an excellent contest with Kenedy and caused the Chelsea full-back a lot of problems. The England international linked up well with Coleman on the Everton right.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Romelu Lukaku - 9 out of 10 The Premier League’s second top scorer was kept quiet for the majority of this game but on 77 minutes the Belgian produced a moment of magic to break the deadlock, his unbelievable power, pace and finishing ability were all on display as he notched his 24th and 25th goals of the season, to earn his side a trip to Wembley.
Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings CHELSEA: Thibaut Courtois - 6 out of 10 Difficult to blame the Chelsea keeper for either goal and had a fairly quiet night aside from those two moments.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Cesar Azpilicueta - 6 out of 10 Everton were exploiting Chelsea’s left hand side giving the Spaniard a fairly quiet night. Could have perhaps offered more support to his centre backs for the opening goal.
Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Branislav Ivanovic - 4 out of 10 The Serbian was dragged out of position for both goals as Lukaku gave his former team mates the run around, had played well for the first 75 minutes but not enough.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Gary Cahill - 5 out of 10 Coped well with the physical threat of Lukaku threat for 77 minutes but was turned inside out for the opening goal before losing the Belgian as he got in behind to put the game beyond doubt.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Kenedy - 5 out of 10 A mixed bag for the Brazilian, was very lucky not to be booked on several occasions in the 1st half and was given the run around by Coleman and Lennon. Did offer Chelsea some width and pace going forward.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings John Obi Mikel - 5 out of 10 McCarthy, Barry and Barkley seemed to have more fight in the middle of midfield and the game appeared to pass the Nigerian by for large periods.
Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Nemanja Matic - 5 out of 10 As soon as Everton wrestled control of this game in the final 20 minutes Matic appeared to go missing, outplayed by his Everton counterparts.
Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Pedro - 6 out of 10 The former Barcelona man looked a real threat on the break for Chelsea, his movement was good and he was finding plenty of space. Defensively however, he was nowhere to be seen and left young Kenedy exposed on Chelsea’s left hand side.
Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Cesc Fabregas - 5 out of 10 Had a personal duel with Ross Barkley but came out second best in the second half as Barkley took control of the midfield.
Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Willian - 5 out of 10 The Brazilian’s movement is exceptional but he looked tired and struggled to see much of the ball as McCarthy and Barry looked to shackle Chelsea’s most creative option. He was eventually substituted for Oscar after 72 minutes.
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Everton vs Chelsea - player ratings Diego Costa - 3 out of 10 Costa was his usual abrasive self and found himself in Michael Oliver’s book after just 10 minutes, he always looked liable to pick up a second yellow and was eventually sent off after another clash with Barry in the 85th minute. Could be in hot water if the FA review the footage of the second yellow for a possible bite.
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Hiddink said Costa was particularly vulnerable to being wound up by the opposition and sometimes lost control when not properly fit.
“Fitness is a problem for him because it frustrates him and he wants to play,” he said. “We should have said that playing in the Champions League and FA Cup was difficult because of little injuries. But he was desperate to play.
“When the opponent knows you are vulnerable, there is big theatre.”
For the full match report from Chelsea vs Everton, click here .
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