Pedro: Costa 'Perfect' For Blues  (Sky Sports)

Pedro believes Diego Costa is "perfect" for Chelsea, while Cesc Fabregas thinks the striker is key to the Blues’ Premier League title challenge.

Costa was reportedly involved in a bust-up with Antonio Conte and his staff last week as speculation raged over a potential move to the Chinese Super League, but the Spain international scored and put in a man-of-the-match performance in the 2-0 win over Hull on Sunday.

He celebrated his goal by gesturing about all the noise which has surrounded him since missing the win at Leicester, and team-mate Pedro says he is vital for Chelsea's campaign.

"He is perfect for this team," Pedro said. "I have played with important people, important players like [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic [at Barcelona].

"But Costa is a very good striker too, a very good runner, strong physically and scores more goals for the team."

Cesc Fabregas also believes Costa is integral to Chelsea's bid to win the Premier League title, with Conte's side eight points clear at the top of the table.

"We need him if we want to achieve our targets," Fabregas said. "It was a good goal and he's always there when we need him.

"We know what Diego brings to the team, nothing needs to be said about that. We're pleased he's back."

Costa's goalscoring return concluded a near-ideal weekend for Chelsea, with rivals Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United all dropping points on Saturday, while Arsenal required a late penalty to beat Burnley on Sunday.

Chelsea's next Premier League games - following Saturday's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Brentford - are at Liverpool on January 31 and at home to Arsenal on February 4. The Blues lost both reverse fixtures earlier this season.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who recorded a 13th Premier League clean sheet of the season against Hull, says Chelsea's winning mentality and dominant position in the table is now dispiriting for their rivals.

"We win our games and then it's really hard for other teams to see that the team that's top of the table still keeps winning games," Courtois told Chelsea TV. "That really sends a message.

"But we have to keep going. Next week we have the FA Cup, then we play Liverpool and Arsenal in the same week. It will be a hard week and we hope to have the maximum points."