13th September, 2014
Diego Costa plundered a hat-trick as Chelsea moved three points clear at the Premier League summit by coming from behind to beat Swansea City 4-2 on Saturday.
John Terry’s own goal from Neil Taylor’s left-wing cross gave previously unbeaten Swansea an 11th-minute lead at Stamford Bridge, but Costa equalised on the stroke of half-time with a header from a right-wing corner.
The former Atletico Madrid striker made it 2-0 in the 56th minute, lifting a shot into the roof of the net after Cesc Fabregas had exchanged passes with Eden Hazard and cut the ball back from the byline.
Costa completed his treble in the 67th minute by sweeping home a mishit shot by Ramires, before Oscar teed up substitute Loic Remy to claim a debut goal. Jonjo Shelvey scored a late consolation goal for Swansea.
Brazil-born Spain international Costa now has seven goals to his name and is the first player to score in his first four Premier League games since Coventry City’s Micky Quinn in 1992.
Earlier, Martin Demichelis scored an 83rd-minute equaliser as champions Manchester City held Arsenal to a 2-2 draw in an entertaining encounter at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal looked set for victory when Alexis Sanchez slammed home a sumptuous volley in the 74th minute, after Jack Wilshere’s neatly constructed goal had cancelled out Sergio Aguero’s first-half opener for City.
But Argentina centre-back Demichelis headed in an Aleksandar Kolarov corner to prevent Manuel Pellegrini’s side from slumping to a second consecutive defeat after their shock 1-0 loss at home to Stoke City.
“I think it was a great game: two very good teams, who try to play. Both teams are very creative,” City manager Pellegrini told BT Sport.
“But both goals by Arsenal were very clear fouls: the first one, two or three continuous fouls, and the second one, (Danny) Welbeck on Vincent (Kompany).”