Cape Town - Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas says Diego Costa remains popular with the club's fans as well as his team-mates despite his starring role in Saturday's bad-tempered Premier League derby at Stamford Bridge.
The Spanish forward Diego Costa has been banned for three matches for raising his hands and striking Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny.
Costa was charged with "act of violent conduct" after television replays showed him catching Koscielny with his arm.
"He's very competitive; it's good, he's hungry for success
and to win all the time," Fabregas said.
"You can see the fans love him as well, they get behind him all the time so it's great for us," he added.