Diego Costa Named Premier League Player of the Month for August

Diego Costa has been named the Premier League Player of the Month for August after scoring four goals in three wins for Chelsea. 

The Spanish striker has captured the individual prize at the first time of asking, as reported by the Blues' official Twitter account:

Costa was excited to receive the prize, per Chelsea's website:

"

I’m very happy to win this award. It is important to begin well at a new club and I’m pleased with both my start to the season and also the team’s, which is the most important thing.

I hope to continue scoring goals to help out the team and keep making our fantastic supporters happy. I thank my team-mates as they have helped me win this award.

"

Sky Sports summarised Costa's form during the opening month of his competitive Chelsea career:

The new signing's physical presence and goalscoring instinct make him a natural star in England's top division. Costa opened his competitive Chelsea account with a smart finish against Burnley on the opening day, following this with a vital goal against Leicester. Despite struggling with an injury niggle prior to the Everton game, he netted a brace to see off Roberto Martinez's Toffees in a hot-tempered 6-3 win.

Goodison Park brought out the both sides of Costa's game. He is a passionate player, someone whose frustration can spill over with petty fouls or arguments, as highlighted during his personal battle with Seamus Coleman. Costa has never been afraid to throw his weight into challenges and has already received two bookings this campaign, per WhoScored.com.

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Jose Mourinho won't be frustrated by his player's hotheadedness, though, as Costa offers everything Chelsea were missing up front last season. His pace, power, and willingness to trot back has already improved the Stamford Bridge side's effectiveness all over the pitch. The former Atletico Madrid man has even added defensive steel from corners and when Chelsea are under pressure, solidifying an already excellent defence.

Costa has scored first in each of his appearances this campaign. He remains doubtful for the early season top of the table clash with Swansea, per BBC Sport, but he is yet to be ruled out by Mourinho, noted by David Kent of the Daily Mail.

Swans boss Garry Monk took the Premier League Manager of the Month award for August after leading his side to three straight wins, reported by Sky Sports. The Welsh team have conceded just one goal this campaign—scored by Wayne Rooney during the victory over Manchester United—and remain two strikes off Chelsea's table-topping position on goal difference.

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Monk toppled Mourinho for the monthly award, while Costa got the better of Swansea's Gylfi Sigurdsson and Nathan Dyer, as well as Aston Villa forward Andreas Weimann. The August winner also ousted Chelsea colleague Cesc Fabregas for the plaudits, noted by Elliot Bretland of the Daily Mail.

Both Costa and Fabregas have already shown themselves to be key players for Chelsea since arriving in the summer. The former has the potential to notch 30 Premier League goals, while Fabregas' creativity on the ball is already paying dividends for the west London side. Chelsea have a hectic schedule to look forward to, meaning the fitness and form of both players is pivotal to their hopes of silverware.

Costa will look to keep on scoring against Swansea, even if he battles through the pain barrier to do so.