Diego Costa Criticised by Fernandinho, City Star Likens Sergio Aguero to Romario

Manchester City star Fernandinho has criticised Chelsea striker Diego Costa after the pair clashed in City's 3-0 win on Sunday.

Brazilian Fernandinho was booked for elbowing Brazilian-born Spain international Costa in the head, which sparked a faceoff at half-time as the players left the pitch and the pair had to be separated.

Per Stuart Brennan of the Manchester Evening News, he said:

"

It was an accident and the nature of the game. It was a shock and I received a yellow card. It happens in football. He is always trying to offend the opposition, but I keep calm and keep playing. I just didn’t want to fight or have any confrontation and just to play for my team.

"

Broadcaster Piers Morgan had a humorous take on the incident, which alluded to Costa's infamously aggressive playing style:

The Guardian's Daniel Taylor was more critical of the striker's overall contribution to the match:

Per the Press Association (via World Soccer Talk) Costa was criticised last season but insisted he would not change the way he plays. He said: "I don't think I have done anything malicious; I've not had a red card so why change anything about the way I am?"

The 26-year-old added: "If I change in any way, I'm not going to be the same player."

The striker's play is clearly effective, as he bullied and barged his way to 20 goals in the Premier League last season.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

However, Costa was also banned for three matches after stamping on Emre Can.

As Chelsea's only other senior forward options are Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy, the Blues can ill afford a lengthy suspension for their star striker, so he must seek to find a balance between the aggression that fuels his play and ensuring he does not take it too far.

Fernandinho also took the time to heap considerable praise on team-mate Sergio Aguero, who scored the opening goal in the win over Chelsea:

Per Brennan's report, he said:

"

He’s an amazing player, with great technical ability and great finishing. He showed that on the pitch and you are happy to have him on your side. ...

He is like Romario when he plays. His style is similar to Romario and if he can score a lot of goals like Romario did then I will be very very happy.

I watched Romario when I was young and he was one of my idols. Romario was amazing, Sergio is amazing and Ronaldo too. In Brazil, we had a lot of good players, strikers like that.

"

According to Transfermarkt, Aguero has scored a phenomenal 211 goals in his 404 career appearances, as well as assisting a further 88, meaning he contributes a goal in three of every four games he plays on average.

The Argentinian has also netted 29 times for his country in 66 appearances.

Sports writer Ben Fairthorne believes the striker to be the best player in the Premier League, while former footballer Rio Ferdinand went a step further:

Romario is one of the most decorated players of all time and lifted the World Cup with Brazil in 1994.

Aguero came close to the latter in 2014 only to suffer a heartbreaking defeat to Germany in the final.

Nevertheless, at just 27, the striker still has many trophy-laden seasons ahead of him and would almost certainly be considered Argentina's best player if not for Lionel Messi.

Aguero is already looking sharp and hungry for goals this season, and with him firing on all cylinders, City can go on to enjoy significant success for years to come.