Chelsea striker Diego Costa insists he remains grateful to Jose Mourinho as he prepares for another tussle with Manchester United.
Mourinho brought Costa to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in 2014 and the Spain international repaid that faith by firing the Blues to the Premier League crown in his first season in England s top flight.
But a dreadful title defence followed, with Mourinho sacked as Chelsea lurched towards the relegation zone in December 2015 and Costa was one of a number of senior players to badly underperform amid rumours of dressing room unrest.
Costa was back on song at the start of this term under Antonio Conte, helping to establish a dominant position at the top of the league that they appear unlikely to relinquish.
Chelsea s two wins ov…
Newcastle United have confirmed the appointment of boyhood fan and ex-Sunderland boss Steve Bruce as their new head coach, replacing departed manager Rafael Benitez.
The Magpies had been searching for a new coach since Benitez s departure at the end of his contract last month and they have found their man in Bruce, who leaves Sheffield Wednesday after a short but impressive stint.
The former Manchester United captain was reported to have resigned from his role at Wednesday earlier this week, having confirmed talks with Newcastle.
Bruce s links to rivals Sunderland, where he was manager between 2009 and 2011, may not go down well with supporters who were already organising protests against owner Mike Ashley, but he has signed a three-year deal at St James Park.
Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid drew 1-1 at the Civitas Metropolitano on Sunday, with Eder Militao sending Real ahead in the 64th minute, only to see their lead perish in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
After Militao s goal, however, Atletico fans started throwing various objects towards Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and aware of the potential problems such behaviour could cause, head coach Diego Simeone and captain Koke rushed over to try and talk some sense into the angry crowd.
Simeone and Koke ask Atlético fans to stop throwing objects to Courtois… as the game has been currently suspended.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)
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