Antonio Conte Says Diego Costa Is Being Provoked After Swansea vs. Chelsea

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte said he believes that opposition defenders actively provoke Diego Costa in an attempt to get him sent off following the Blues' 2-2 draw with Swansea City on Sunday.

The Spain international scored both Chelsea goals against the Swans—including a late equaliser—but he also picked up his third yellow card of the Premier League season and spent much of the match sparring with Jordi Amat.

After the game, Conte asked referees to allow the forward to play his football, per ESPN FC's Liam Twomey:

"

If you ask me if [Amat] deserved a second yellow card, I don't want to reply about this. 

I will say only that after every game, the press ask me about the passion of [Costa], about his behaviour. Today I can say he had fantastic behaviour to control the situation, because he took a lot of kicks from the first minute until the end of the game.

I'm pleased because he showed me, he showed his teammates and he showed everyone that he had fantastic behaviour, and it wasn't easy.

I think that defenders know him and sometimes try to provoke him. I was a footballer and this situation is normal.

You know that Diego is a player with great passion and they try to provoke. This is football, not only in England, not only with Diego, but in general in the world. But I also think that referees must see and permit Diego to play his football.

"

Costa, 27, has been fantastic so far this term, netting four goals in four games, including winners against West Ham United and Watford.

He has continued to cause controversy and arguably could have been given his marching orders in three games before making his vital contributions in 2016-17, per football writer Dave Phillips:

Against Swansea, though, it was not only Costa who was lucky to stay on the pitch, according to BBC Sport pundit John Hartson:

"

Fer foul on Cahill.. Amat 2nd yellow for kick on ivanovic .. Costa dive 2nd yellow. Ref got 3 big calls wrong.

— John Hartson (@JohnHartson10) September 11, 2016"

The former Atletico Madrid man is a naturally combative player and often treads a fine line when it comes to aggression.

Conte arguably has a point that defenders target the forward, as he has been fouled more often than any other player in the English top flight so far this term, per WhoScored.com:

But Costa is far from blameless. His best performances often see him pair phenomenal skill—his equaliser against Swansea was an acrobatic bicycle kick—with barely curbed belligerence.

Conte is lucky to have him in his squad, though, as he can be incredibly valuable when in form.

The Italian manager dropped his first points as Chelsea boss at the Liberty Stadium on Sunday, but Chelsea still lie second in the Premier League after four matches.

If Costa manages to stay in form, and on the pitch, it is likely the Blues will be competing near the top of the table for the whole season.