Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma admits teammate Diego Costa is a 'cheat' in post-match interview
The defender was speaking after his side's 2-0 victory over Arsenal
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Your support makes all the difference.Kurt Zouma has admitted in a post-match television interview that Diego Costa is a 'cheat' and he was 'not surprised' by the striker's controversial antics against Arsenal on Saturday.
Costa has been roundly criticised for his behaviour during the lunchtime kick-off, having clashed with both Laurent Koscielny and Gabriel yet only receiving a yellow card.
The Spain international was spotted slapping Koscielny in the face off-the-ball before chest-bumping the French defender so forcefully that he fell to the floor.
Gabriel, who took umbrage to Costa's behaviour, received a yellow card for his angry reaction and saw red moments later after he appeared to stand on the Chelsea striker's foot.
When asked whether he was surprised by his Costa's shenanigans, Zouma said that his teammate had acted exactly as he would have expected.
"No, we're not surprised because we know Diego," Zouma told Bein Sports. "Everyone knows Diego and this guy likes to cheat a lot and put the opponent out of his game.
"That happened in the game but he's a really nice guy," Zouma continued.
"We're proud to have him, like the other players, and we're happy to win this game today."
Zouma scored Chelsea's opening goal against Arsenal, giving his side a lead which was later doubled by Eden Hazard's deflected shot. Arsenal finished the game with nine men, after Santi Cazorla also received his marching orders.
Costa is currently waiting to hear whether he will be punished retrospectively by the Football Association for his behaviour, with a decision expected to announced on Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are hoping an appeal to the FA will see Gabriel's ban reduced from three games to two. A relaxation of the defender's suspension would allow him to face Manchester United when they visit the Emirates in just under two weeks time.
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