Diego Costa Reportedly Escapes FA Charge for Altercation with Martin Skrtel

Chelsea striker Diego Costa will reportedly not be punished for lashing out at Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel on Saturday, according to Sky Sports News HQ:

The pair tangled on the floor during the Reds’ 3-1 victory over the champions, and Costa appeared to kick out at the Liverpool man with a secondary movement while grounded.

However, the fact that referee Mark Clattenburg was in a great position to see the incident yet didn’t produce a card could well have saved the fiery striker.

Former referee Graham Poll said Clattenburg may well have deemed the incident not violent enough to send Costa off—per Rory Brigstock-Barron of the Daily Mail:

“The incident occurred close to Clattenburg who took no action. Perhaps he missed it completely or didn't think it violent. Perhaps he thought it fair 'retaliation' after Skrtel had caught Costa with a leading forearm in the first half.”

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The FA is reportedly satisfied there’s no need for retrospective action against Costa, who only recently returned to action after being banned for an off-the-ball altercation with Arsenal’s Gabriel Paulista.

Still, the news hasn’t sat well with the Liverpool faithful, including Bleacher Report journalist Jack Lusby:

The news will be welcomed by Jose Mourinho, who is desperately working to try and turn Chelsea's form around this season.

Their next three fixtures see them meet Stoke, Norwich and Tottenham, so the Portuguese will be glad he isn't limited to Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao as his striking options.