Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho says Chelsea striker Diego Costa is "always trying to offend the opposition," as he offered his first comments following their heated clash in Sunday's Premier League game at the Etihad Stadium.
Costa was convinced that City's Brazilian star deliberately elbowed him in the side of the head in the closing stages of the first half, with the Spaniard's eagerness to confront his opponent as the players headed down the tunnel at half-time highlighting his frustration.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho suggested after the game that Fernandinho could have been sent off for his challenge on Costa, but the City player had the last laugh as he scored the clinching goal in his side's 3-0 win.
Now Fernandinho has suggested that Costa's abrasive attitude on the field is designed to provoke an aggressive response from his opponents.
"He is always trying to offend the opposition, but I keep calm and keep playing," Fernandinho said, as quoted in the Daily Mirror. "I just didn't want to fight or have any confrontation and just to play for my team."
As he reflected on the elbowing incident that infuriated Costa and Mourinho Fernandinho stated: "It was an accident and the nature of the game. It was a shock and I received a yellow card. It happens in football."
City's victory over Chelsea edged them five points clear of the side that beat them to the Premier League title last season, with Manuel Pellegrini's side looking to continue their perfect start to the season when they face Everton at Goodison Park on Sunday.