Guus Hiddink alerts Diego Costa over his temperament on the pitch

After being (semi-)booed off the pitch by his supporters at Stamford Bridge against Sunderland, Chelsea striker Diego Costa gave a nice rebuttal by scoring a brace against Watford in yesterday's game. Unfortunately, Costa also had a few of his usual Costa moments and ended up picking a fifth yellow card in domestic competition, which will keep him out of a very important game against Manchester United tomorrow.

In his first game back with Chelsea, Guus Hiddink praised Costa for his performance but also served a warning about said temperament.

"He [Costa] focused himself where he's good, and there he's very dangerous. That's important. He's not wasting extra energy where he shouldn't, and he did that. He is out for United, with a fifth [booking]. Which means we have to think how to solve that problem. It's a pity because he'd put in a good performance. So we need to solve that problem in the next 48 hours."

"When Diego was booed - whether it was right or wrong - he had a very good reaction as a professional when he was substituted by Steve [Holland, against Sunderland]. I think that made him think: 'How should I go on?'. He showed that [against Watford]. I give you no guarantee on the future because, when people are emotional with their temperament, anything can happen in the game. That must show in attitude."

-Guus Hiddink; source: Telegraph

Certainly a shift in tone from Mourinho, who almost encouraged Costa to feed off the emotion, to be the box office draw with both goals and flash-points against opposing defenders.

"When everyone knows what he is capable of and knows he must not go into whatever the trap might be, then you focus on your first job. He's good at it and he showed it with two terrific goals."

-Guus Hiddink; source: ESPN

Costa's overall performance might not have been up to the standard he himself set last year, but his movement off the ball as well as his first-touch and finishing were the best we've seen all season. Diego Costa returning to his previous confidence levels would certainly help Chelsea's attempts of a comeback the rest of the season, especially if he can continue to minimize his antics on the pitch.