Topics: Premier League, Chelsea, Diego Costa, Marcos Alonso
Antonio Conte has cleared the air over Diego Costa's recent absence from the team's squad, but his explanation does not seem convincing enough.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has opened up about the much-publicized absence of key forward Diego Costa. The Spaniard, who is the joint league top goalscorer with 14 goals, same as Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez, did not play in Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. 

Prior to the match, there were reports that the former Atletico Madrid man had a nasty argument with Conte and part of the club's coaching staff over his fitness levels. In return, Conte reportedly told him to 'go to China,' where a number of clubs from the Asian nation were said to be interested in his signature. 

And now, the Italian tactician has explained a totally different story in regards to Costa's absence against the Foxes. He said:

''On Tuesday, Diego stopped training with a pain in his back and then in the week he didn’t train with us.''

Whether that's the truth or not, it is clear that Chelsea are still the team to beat as far as the title chase is concerned. The blues opened up a seven-point gap at the top of the league table, and Costa's absence didn't seem to be noticed thanks to Marcos Alonso's brace and Pedro's late header. Victor Moses (left), Marcos Alonso (middle) and  Gary Cahill celebrate Alonso's goal for the BluesVictor Moses (left), Marcos Alonso (middle) and Gary Cahill celebrate Alonso's goal for the BluesAlonso, despite being a defender, had a man of the match performance for Chelsea by scoring a brace, something that made Diego Costa's absence go seemingly unnoticed. Here are some of the reactions from some Chelsea fans after the 3-0 win.