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Jose Mourinho: 'It was a fantastic performance from Diego Costa - fast and aggressive,' says Chelsea boss after striker stars in Arsenal win

Chelsea were the 'dominant team,; says manager

Tom Sheen
Saturday 19 September 2015 16:06 BST
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(Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho has hailed Chelsea striker Diego Costa after he led the Blues to an important win over rivals Arsenal.

Costa didn't get on the scoresheet, but had an eventful afternoon that included a lengthy battle with Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel Paulista that ended with the latter getting a red card for kicking out at the striker.

"The game is about all different aspects," Mourinho told BT Sport after the 2-0 win. "The technical, emotional, physical and with a combination of these factors normally the best team wins. We were the best team. We were dominant, we were in control.

"I played my first derby as manager in September 2000 and I remember my words to my players. To win the derby - emotional control. I always repeat the same words before derbies.

"For me it was a fantastic performance (from Costa). He played the game like the game has to be played. He's fast, he's aggressive and he's good to recover the ball and offers us different qualities."

Wenger, of course, didn't agree with his rival and believed that Costa should have been sent off.

"(There is a) big sense of injustice," Wenger said. "I think Diego Costa is a red card.

"I wouldn't like to be Mike Dean tonight because I cannot understand the situations. Twice he (Costa) should have been sent off.

"Look at the situation well before the cross comes in, he hits him (Laurent Koscielny) in the face on purpose.

"He makes a fuss of it. In every game there is aggravation but he gets away with it because of the weakness of the referee.

"We are guilty because we gave in on that and responded to it. We knew before the game that he was only looking for that and when he touches him he goes down like he has been killed."

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