Diego Costa: Misunderstood or provocative aggressor?

Since signing from Atletico Madrid over the summer, he has shown himself to be able to mix it with the best - and at 6'2", he is more than capable of dishing it out.

So, here is a summary of the Spain international’s rap sheet.

+ + +

November 2010: Sent off during a Copa del Rey match between Atletico Madrid and UD Las Palmas for a stray elbow.

- - -

December 2012: He evaded action for this display in a Liga derby with Real Madrid, spending much of the match using his head, feet and elbows to provoke.

After a clash with Ramos he appears to spit into his glove and flick the phlegm at him (from 1:45 in the video).

- - -

December 2012: Costa was slapped with a four-match ban during Atletico's 2012-13 Europa League campaign for this headbutt on an opponent.

- - -

April 2013: In a match against Sevilla, two players were sent off amid accusations that Costa had spent much of the game diving. Costa was also booked in the game.

After he somehow managed to successfully appeal that booking, Sevilla defender Hedwiges Maduro said: "Costa? He is a great player but we do not need the many things that surround him that have nothing to do with football."

- - -

November 2014: The hitman but escaped punishment at the Stadium of Light after appearing to kick out at John O'Shea, before picking up a yellow card of the season for catching fellow defender Wes Brown with a flailing arm during a 0-0 draw.

- - -

August 2014: Costa was involved in a flashpoint with Tim Howard during their Premier League match in August, a game that Chelsea won 6-3.

The Spain forward had received a yellow card for a clash with Everton’s Seamus Coleman early in the second half but appeared to mock the Irish defender after he put through his own net on 63 minutes.

Howard took exception to that perceived slight, cue a stand-off between the pair.

- - -

January 2015: Costa charged with violent conduct by the FA for an alleged stamp on Liverpool's Emre Can.

The Brazilian-born Spain striker faces a potential three-game ban after he appeared to tread down on the 21-year-old German early in the first half of their League Cup semi-final, second leg at Stamford Bridge.