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Costa's late goal earned Antonio Conte's Chelsea a 2-1 win over West Ham at
Stamford Bridge on Monday.
The Blues were largely dominant and took the lead shortly after half-time
through Eden Hazard's penalty.
The introduction of Dimitri Payet looked to have helped the Hammers, who lost
record signing Andre Ayew to injury in the first half, snatch a point as his
corner was turned in by James Collins in the 77th minute.
However, Costa finished from outside the box in the 89th minute to give the
hosts a victory that, on the balance of play, was deserved.
While West Ham handed competitive debuts to three players - Arthur Masuaku, Ayew
and Havard Nordtveit - the hosts had 10 players in their XI who started the
opening game last season.
The only one to miss out in Conte's first competitive match in charge was Cesc
Fabregas, who made way for summer signing N'Golo Kante.
The former Leicester midfielder did not take long to make his mark, receiving a
yellow card after less than three minutes for bringing down Andy Carroll.
But, after a tentative opening 10 minutes, Chelsea settled into the game and
started to dominate possession.
Branislav Ivanovic forced Adrian into a sharp low save at his near post before
Oscar was denied a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Winston
Reid, who stuck out an arm as the Brazilian knocked the ball past him into the
box.
Hazard, who enjoyed a bright first half, then shot narrowly wide after driving
down the left flank.
West Ham lost record signing Ayew to injury after 35 minutes, with another
summer addition, Gokhan Tore, coming on in his place.
Chelsea continued to control the game as Costa shot over and Willian saw a
free-kick saved before the end of the half.
The hosts got the breakthrough shortly after the restart as Michail Antonio
fouled Cesar Azpilicueta in the box and Hazard fired the penalty into the roof
of the net.
Antonio was replaced by Sam Byram a few minutes later but chances continued to
come for Chelsea.
Adrian saved from Willian before John Terry headed over the bar from a corner.
Slaven Bilic opted to introduce Payet after 67 minutes and it was from his
corner that Collins fired home the equaliser.
Chelsea, though, still pressed and, after Pedro volleyed wide, Costa drilled
home the winner from just outside the box.
Payet spurned a chance to equalise with a first-time shot that was held by
Thibaut Courtois and Chelsea held out for victory.
Player ratings
Chelsea: Courtois (6), Ivanovic (7), Cahill (7), Terry (7),
Azpilicueta (6), Kante (6), Matic (6), Willian (7), Oscar (7), Hazard (8), Costa
(7).
Subs: Pedro (5), Moses (5), Batshuayi (5).
West Ham: Adrian (6), Antonio (5), Reid (5), Collins (6),
Masuaku (5), Kouyate (5), Nordtveit (5), Noble (5), Ayew (5), Carroll (4),
Valencia (4).
Subs: Tore (5), Byram (5), Payet (6).
Man of the match: Eden Hazard.
Click Here For Official Team Sheet
Teams
Chelsea Courtois, Ivanovic , Cahill, Terry (c), Azpilicueta,
Kante, Matic, Willian (Pedro 80), Oscar (Batshuayi 86), Hazard (Moses 86), Costa
Subs Not Used Begovic, Fabregas, Loftus-Cheek, Aina
Booked Kante, Costa, Azpilicueta, Pedro
Goals Hazard 47 (pen), Costa 89
West Ham United Adrian, Antonio (Byram 52), Reid, Collins,
Masuaka, Kouyate, Nordtveit (Payet 67), Noble (c), Ayew (Tore 35), Carrol,
Valencia
Subs Not Used Randolph, Obiang, Ogbonna, Oxford
Booked Collins, Antonio
Goals Collins 77
Attendance 41,521
Referee Anthony Taylor