That excitable but likeable hombre, Everton manager Roberto Martinez, took it upon himself to give a stern lecture to the Brazilian-born Spaniard Diego Costa after Chelsea’s sensational 6-3 victory at Goodison at the weekend. Costa, who operates on the field with the speed and directness of the bullet train and will bring Chelsea the Premier League title, I guarantee it, had indulged in a spot of mild gloating after the Everton defender Séamus Coleman, who otherwise had a fine match, had plonked the ball into his own net.
And that was what Martinez took exception to. He wasn’t alone, either: the Everton keeper Tim Howard carried on as if Costa had tried to murder his family. Costa, said Martinez, should learn and respect the traditions of English football. In the interests of cross-border harmony, here are some of those key traditions for him to take on board.
• Remember, referees don’t like to rock the boat too much, so you can pull any opponent’s shirt as much as you like inside the penalty area, and the referee won’t blow up.
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