The Spanish striker scored his second goal in as many games for Chelsea
Chelsea's Diego Costa celebrates his goal against Leicester City during their English Premier League soccer match at Stamford Bridge, London
London: Diego Costa scored for the second match in succession as Chelsea made it two Premier League wins from two matches this season with a 2-0 victory at home to newly-promoted Leicester City on Saturday.
After a goalless first half, Chelsea twice almost took the lead at the start of the second period. Oscar hit the far post with a curling shot from the right before Branislav Ivanovic’s header was well saved by Kaspar Schmeichel, son of former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter.
Leicester, who held Everton to a 2-2 draw last week, then had a chance of their own when David Nugent burst clear only for the Foxes striker to be denied by Thibault Courtois, again preferred by Jose Mourinho to Petr Cech, when one-on-one with the keeper. But £32 million ($55 million, 40 million euros) Spain striker Costa, who scored in last week’s 3-1 win at Burnley, marked his home debut by turning in Ivanovic’s cross from eight yards out in the 63rd minute.
Chelsea then doubled their lead at Stamford Bridge when Eden Hazard’s 77th-minute shot beat Schmeichel after deflecting off Leicester defender Wes Morgan. Swansea, fresh from their shock opening day victory away to Manchester United, also made it two wins from two with a 1-0 success at home to Burnley secured by winger Nathan Dyer’s 23rd-minute goal. West Ham bounced back from a 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur with a 3-1 win away to managerless Crystal Palace.
The Eagles, without a manager after Tony Pulis quit before the season started in a row over transfer funds, had seen sporting director Iain Moody resign in midweek following the fall-out from the publication of offensive text messages he had shared with Malky Mackay while the pair were at Cardiff.
Hammers’ quickfire double
Any hope of better news on the pitch was shattered when Palace conceded two goals in three first-half minutes. Argentinian striker Mauro Zarate marked his Hammers debut with an impressive 34th-minute volley before England winger Stewart Downing added an equally stylish second, cutting in from the right flank before curling in a 20-yard left-foot shot. Palace pulled a goal back in the 48th minute through Marouane Chamakh. However, the Hammers made it 3-1 in the 62nd minute when Carlton Cole scored his first goal since February.
( Source : AFP )
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