Bullish Chelsea forward Diego Costa made headlines on Saturday for all the wrong reasons as The Blues crashed out of the FA Cup thanks to a brace from Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.
The Spaniard was booked in the first half for a dangerous tackle on Gareth Barry but things did not end there; various footages doing rounds on social media also show the hot-tempered forward spitting just inches away from the referee's legs.
In the second half, after Lukaku had secured two crucial goals for the hosts, the former Atletico Madrid man decided to attack his first-half nemesis, Barry, but this time round with a bite on the neck. After consulting the second-official, the centre referee gave the 27-year-old his marching orders, a decision that was received by wild cheers from the home fans.
Judging from the angry reactions from football fans both on and off the internet, the FA could investigate Costa’s conduct at the Goodison Park and if found guilty, he could be suspended or fined, depending on the verdict of the disciplinary committee.
Interestingly, Barry was also sent off three minutes later for a hard tackle on a Chelsea player.
Did Costa bite Gareth Barry’s neck? Watch this video and decide:
(Please note that this video is geo-restricted and may not be available in your area)
Did Diego Costa bite Gareth Barry? (Via @btsportfootball) https://t.co/VJcvO1Gmr7
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) March 12, 2016
Here are some reactions on Twitter regarding his conduct:
Diego Costa surely gonna get hammered for that bite... Incredible.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) March 12, 2016
Did I just watch Diego Costa give Gareth Barry a love bite?! #EFCvCFC
— Munveer Garcha (@MunveerGarcha) March 12, 2016
Luis Suarez watching Diego Costa's bite. #FACup pic.twitter.com/alEdv16FUE
— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) March 12, 2016
Bite me instead ffs @diegocosta
— ☇ (@drogbae_) March 12, 2016
Was it a kiss or a bite on Gareth Barry from Diego Costa? Don't know what's worse, but he should be banned.
— Artur Petrosyan (@arturpetrosyan) March 12, 2016
Diego Costa was about to bite the neck of Gareth Barry Everton V's Chelsea match
— Martin Walkerdine (@mwalkerdine) March 12, 2016
That's a bite let's see how the Fa deal with this #diegocosta
— Peter Griffith (@petetwm) March 12, 2016
Diego Costa is a horrible snidey bastard who deserves a lengthy ban for that bite.
— Barry Dunne (@BarryDunne1) March 12, 2016
Was Diego Costa ready for his tea #bite #nibble
— amanda scaife (@ShildonAFCsup) March 12, 2016
Diego Costa trying to bite him. Haha.
— charlie cox (@charlie_cox6) March 12, 2016
Head butt, a love bite and then a hug! DIEGO COSTA IS A LOVE BIRD
— Hashim (@__haashim) March 12, 2016
Diego costa the only freak in football who would headbutt an bite someone then hug them after it
— Paddy (@paddyfowler5) March 12, 2016