Manchester City vs Chelsea: Pablo Zabaleta says Diego Costa should have been sent off at the Etihad

Argentinian defender apologised for sending off at the Etihad

Diego Costa, Pablo Zabaleta (Twitter/Pablo Zabaleta)

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has apologised for his sending off against Chelsea - but also suggested that Diego Costa should have been sent off.

The right-back was shown the red card by Mike Dean at the Etihad Stadium after picking up two yellow cards during the 1-1 draw with their Premier League rivals.

Zabaleta took to Twitter after the match to apologise to City fans and also criticise the referee for failing to send off Chelsea striker Diego Costa.

"I would like to apologise to everyone for my red card today," he wrote on the social network. "However after seeing this image I can't believe that Diego Costa remained on the pitch."

Zabaleta posted a picture of the Spanish striker with his hands around the defender's throat moments after Zabaleta made the tackle that earned him a second yellow.

In FA rules Costa is guilty of violent conduct: "A player is guilty of violent conduct if he uses excessive force or brutality against an opponent when not challenging for the ball."

Zabaleta will serve a one-match ban for his dismissal.