Best and worst of Costa

THE best and the worst of Diego Costa were on full display yesterday when he was sent off after celebrating a goal that helped beat Atletico Madrid Getafe 2-0 in his second match back at the club.

Costa already had one booking for elbowing a Getafe player when he tapped in Atletico’s second goal in the 68th minute. But instead of embracing his teammates, he ran around the net and to the edge of the stands where he was hugged by thrilled fans, earning him a second booking.

The goal was his second in as many appearances since making his return from Chelsea. He scored as a sub on Wednesday to help it ease to a 4-0 victory at Lleida in the Copa del Rey’s round-of-16.

Far from reproaching Costa, Atletico coach Diego Simeone praised the player he hopes can lead the team to the same heights they reached in 2013 and 2014, when they won the Copa del Rey followed by the Spanish league title.

‘Costa gives us intensity and power, and he inspires fear. You can feel it and see it,’ Simeone said.

The victory gets second-place Atletico to within six points of leaders Barcelona