The 33-year-old, Diego Costa has just made a sensational return to the Premier League as a stop-gap solution for injury-stricken Wolves.

It's a bloody brilliant transfer, if only because he'll be pure entertainment however well it turns out in terms of actual football. Premier League defences, beware.

We've taken a look through the archives back at some of the best and most memorable times Costa pulled his most profound levels of bastardry.

Gabriel

Where better to start? Who could forget Costa's ridiculous antics in this game against Arsenal, getting opponent Gabriel Paulista sent off for absolutely nothing?

The striker got a retrospective ban for his actions.

Sergio Ramos

Just months after Ramos riled Liverpool fans and the rest by injuring Mo Salah in the Champions League final, Diego Costa got one back on the Real Madrid defender in the UEFA Super Cup, with this sly kick in the head.

Xabi Alonso

Imagine doing this to such a lovely man. At least Xabi comes away unscathed, and his reaction is pretty good to be honest.

Morteza Pouraliganji

Diego Costa was even at it on the sly at the World Cup as he never shies from such over-the-top actions.

Chelsea training:

Man did not like his opponents but with teammates, it was just banter. We're not sure what anyone, least of all Diego Costa, gets out of this.

The Battle of Stamford Bridge

Surprisingly, Costa wasn't overly involved in the antics surrounding the "most shameful game in Premier League history", but he did manage to get Jan Vertonghen booked.

Federico Fazio

Fazio doing what so many centre-halves have dreamed about, here.

For more Diego Costa news, follow Sportz Point.

Hello and welcome to another live coverage of Premier League football. This evening, we will bring you all the live updates, scores, news, and free commentary of the Manchester City vs Brighton Premier League 2024-25 fixture set to be played at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester.

Manchester City, the defending champions, are having a difficult season and are currently battling to secure a spot in continental competitions for next season. The Cityzens are now standing in the fifth position, having earned 47 points in 28 matches. On the other hand, Brighton are just one point behind City, positioned seventh as of now with 46 points in 28 games.

Although City is struggling, this encounter against Brighton will be crucial for both teams before heading onto the international break. So sit back and enjoy the game as we bring you all the real-time updates, team news, live scores, and match commentary tonight.

This is Soumit Bhattacharya, who will bring you all the updates of the match from the web desk.

Moreover, you can follow us on Twitter for all the updates. Join our Telegram and WhatsApp channels to get all the news and scores.

With Arne Slot closing on winning the Premier League in his debut season as a manager, we present you the football facts of managers to win the Premier League in their debut season. If or when Liverpool win the Premier League 2024-25 title, Arne Slot will become only the fifth manager in Premier League history to achieve the feat. 

Here are the managers to win the Premier League title in their debut season in the league. Please note we have not included Claudio Ranieri's name for winning the title with Leicester City in 2015-16, because he had already managed Chelsea from 2000 to 2004. 

Managers to win Premier League in their debut season

Jose Mourinho | 2004-05

That is why he is the special one. Jose Mourinho came the Chelsea after winning the Champions League with Porto and created history right after that. In the 2004-05 season, Mourinho arrived at Chelsea with a champion mindset and started the season with a bang by beating Manchester United in his first game at the helm. 

With John Terry as the leader of the pack, young Peter Chech between the goals and players like Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, Mourinho took Chelsea to Premier League success with the then-record highest point of a season (95). 

However, that team still holds the Premier League record for conceding the least goals in a season (15) and most clean sheets in a season (25).

Read Also | Top 10 highest scoring midfielders in the 21st century: Football facts

Carlo Ancelotti | 2009-10

One of the greatest football managers of the generation, Carlo Ancelotti arrived in the Premier League and was able to replicate what Mourinho had done in his debut season. 

While Mourinho had made them solid in defence, the team started to fall apart during his latter years. After a few failures by the next managers, Ancelotti took the responsibility to bring the silverware back to Stamford Bridge. 

Ancelotti unleashed a ruthless attacking mindset within the team which resulted in Chelsea creating the records for most goals scored in a Premier League season (103),  most goals scored at home in a season (68), and winning the league with the best goal difference in a season (71).

Didier Drogba scored 29 goals in the Premier League for them. Frank Lampard also showed his class with 22 league goals that season.

Read Also | Managers with the Most Wins in UCL History

Manuel Pellegrini | 2013-14

Pellegrini led Manchester City to their second-ever Premier League in his debut season as the head coach at Etihad Stadium. After the success of Roberto Mancini just two seasons ago, where we saw Sergio Aguero creating history for them, Pellegrini took City back to the top. 

Yaya Toure with 20 goals led them in front as they scored more than 100 goals in a season for the first time in their history. Eden Dzeko with 16 goals and Sergio Aguero with 17 also were the stars for the Blues.

They won the league two points clear of runners-up Liverpool, who had earned 84 points.

Antonio Conte | 2016-17

Roman Ibrahimbovic somehow was always right with appointing coaches at the right time. Antonio Conte joined Chelsea during the mid-season after Guus Hiddink handled the team as interim coach. 

Conte formed a fluid 3-4-2-1 system and with the team already out of the European title race, he had only one thing to focus on. In a season which he called "a Mourinho season”, Chelesea created history by winning 13 straight league games in a row, an equal record for any English top-flight team to enter this special list of football facts.

Conte went on to win the Premier League Manager of the Month Award for October, November and December months. No manager had won the award in three consecutive months before him. 

Chelsea with 93 points won the Premier League as Conte became the third Chelsea coach to win the league in his debut season. 

Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah is having some season at Liverpool. After Liverpool triumphed in a 2-0 win over Manchester City, Salah touched 50+ goal contributions this season across all competitions.

Salah's goalscoring tally in the 2024-25 Premier League touched 25 goals and he also provided 17 assists in 28 appearances this season.

The Egyptian international is crushing records as Salah became the only active player on this list, along with legends like Alan Shearer, Teddy Sheringham, Sergio Aguero, and Thierry Henry. 

Here is the full breakdown of the 10 players with the most goal contributions in Premier League history.

List of the 10 Premier League Players with the most Goal Contributions

1. Alan Shearer-324 Goal Contributions (260 Goals + 64 Assists)

Alan Shearer’s record as the Premier League’s top scorer is well-established. Still, the former English international also stands top for total goal contributions with an estimable further 64 assists for Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

Erling Haaland certainly has the goalscoring potential, but there is every chance he departs Manchester City for European heavyweights during his peak years.

2. Wayne Rooney-311 Goal Contributions (208 Goals +103 Assists)

The Premier League has seen some of the greatest scorers and creators. At the summit stands Alan Shearer, whose 324 combined goals and assists set a standard that remains unmatched. Wayne Rooney follows with an impressive 311 contributions, splitting his talent between scoring and assisting a true all-around offensive force.

3. Frank Lampard-279 Goal Contributions (177 Goals + 102 Assists)

Frank Lampard is the only Premier League midfielder who could achieve, accumulating 279 contributions from the center of the park. The man with the most goals and the most assists in Chelsea’s history.

4. Ryan Giggs- 271 Goal Contributions (109 Goals + 162 Assists)

Only three players have registered 100+ goals and 100+ assists in the Premier League, Ryan Giggs holds the outright record for Premier League assists with 162. Over fifty more than anybody else.

The former winger’s Manchester United career period from 1990 until 2014, during which time he contributed to 271 Premier League goals.

5. Mohamed Salah-267 Goal Contributions (182 Goals + 82 Assists)*

Mohamed Salah’s remarkable rise demonstrates how today’s high-intensity football can elevate a skilled wide forward. He has surpassed four Premier League legends in Aguero, Henry, Kane, and Cole after craving an insane tally of 25 goals and 17 assists, so far in his amazing 2024-25 campaign so far.

6. Andrew Cole- 260 Goal Contributions (187 Goals + 73 Assists)

Andrew Cole, from an earlier era, matched Salah’s goal-scoring expertise but did so as a traditional number nine. Cole scored 187 Premier League goals, and he did not even score a goal with a penalty. A further 73 assists are not bad going, either.

7. Harry Kane- 259 Goal Contributions (213 Goals + 46 Assists)

Tottenham and England’s all-time top scorer in the Premier League, but Shearer's record looks safe after his 100 million euro transfer to Bayern Munich. Unfortunately, the number nine has failed to win any trophies with the North London side. 

Surprisingly enough, despite dropping deeper and becoming more of a playmaker in his latter Premier League days, Harry Kane registers the fewest assists of any player in the top 10 with 46. Fourteen of those assists came in Tottenham’s 2020-21 campaign.

8. Thierry Henry- 249 Goal Contributions (175 Goals + 74 Assists)

The Frenchman spent eight seasons in the Premier League. In 2002-03, Thierry Henry became the first player to register 20+ goals and assists (24 goals, 20 assists) in a Premier League campaign. Thierry Henry’s elegant style produced 175 goals and 74 assists.

9. Sergio Aguero- 231 Goal Contributions (184 Goals + 47 Assists)

Sergio Aguero established himself as one of the greatest Centre-forwards of the Premier League era. “We love him so much,” Pep Guardiola tearfully responded after Sergio Aguero played his final match for Manchester City back in 2021.

Aguero's consistency left an indelible mark on the league. The Argentine forward netted 184 goals, which is more than the Gunners' icon Thierry Henry.

10. Teddy Sheringham- 222 Goal Contributions (146 Goals + 76 Assists)

Teddy Sheringham still holds the record for the oldest player to appear in the Premier League, having framed for West Ham at the age of 40. Given his career as a Premier League devotee, it is no surprise to see his name on this list.

The forward had already been a pro for nearly a decade by the time England’s top flight was rebranded in 1992. But he was still racing at the highest level as late as 2007 and did not retire until 2008.

Three goals in a game that staff more than 22 world-renowned players have taken to mean one thing: you use a hat trick. The Hat-trick person somehow etches his name into Premier League's history. Here is a Premier League facts to determine clubs with most hat-tricks in Premier League history.

Premier League Facts: Most Premier League hat-tricks By clubs

Manchester City | 44

Manchester City sits at the top in this most Premier League hat-trick list, an achievement largely influenced by Sergio Agüero. The Argentine forward, a relentless goal-scorer, recorded 12 hat-tricks, the most by any player in Premier League history. Every time he stepped onto the pitch, defenders were on high alert- his impact was inevitable. Now, Erling Haaland continues this legacy, showcasing his goal-scoring prowess.

Liverpool | 42

Liverpool boasts a rich history of goal-scoring excellence, with players such as Luis Suárez, Robbie Fowler, and Mohamed Salah leading the way. Suárez, in particular, had a remarkable record against Norwich City, delivering multiple hat-tricks and leaving a lasting mark on Premier League history.

With such good goal-scoring talent as Luis Suárez, Robbie Fowler and now Mohamed Salah, Liverpool has a tradition that is hard to beat. Especially against Norwich City, Suárez possessed a unique record: several hat-tricks over them have left their mark in the most Premier League hat-trick list.

Arsenal | 41

Arsenal has also been a dominant force in delivering Premier League hat-tricks. The club's most frequently cited serial hat trick scorer had been Henry, followed by Van Persie and Alexis Sánchez. Henry was particularly one-of-a-kind shooting that could hit both precision and aesthetic appeal and, in any case, it screamed specific praise for the great scorer that he was.

Manchester United | 37

Manchester United's heritage is that small one in which Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Ruud van Nistelrooy all scored unforgettable hat-tricks. The best example of Rooney's explosive speed in front of goal happened at Emirates Stadium in August 2011 when he just gave one more fine display to cement Manchester United's grip on most Premier League hat-tricks.

Chelsea | 32

Chelsea's success is built on legends such as Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and Eden Hazard. These players not only could afford to score goals, but they were true gamblers in high-stakes contests and made sure that Chelsea remained a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League's history.

Tottenham Hotspur | 29

There is a player who stands out above all others for Tottenham Hotspur; Harry Kane. As an English striker, he has continuously managed to find the net. Three goals in a match are routine for this young upstart and just add to an already impressive international profile. 

Hat-Tricks from Historic Clubs:

Aston Villa-12 Premier League Hat-tricks:

Aston Villa, one of England's most historic clubs, has had more than its fair share of players scoring most Premier League hat-tricks.

Happy birthday, Dwight Yorke! 🎉

This strike after just 𝟭𝟮 𝗦𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗦 against Coventry in 1995 is our fastest Premier League goal! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/olMsZvPnID

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 3, 2020

Dwight Yorke: was someone who always backed up his smile with a clinical finish.

Gabriel Agbonlahor:  had a stunning turn of pace, his bursts from the back often leaving defenders trailing hopelessly in his wake.

322 Premier league appearances for Aston Villa 🌪
74 Premier League goals ⚽️
Two England caps 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Gabriel Agbonlahor has officially retired from football aged 32. pic.twitter.com/CqSJUtb3VI

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) March 27, 2019

Striking the ball so fiercely reflects both the immense power underlying his well-timed shots and their accuracy too.

Regardless of spells spent in lower divisions, Aston Villa's long-held tradition of superior combat produces continuous effective results in front of the goal.

Leeds United-12 Premier League Hat-Tricks 

Leeds United is all action, high-tempo football, and die-hard fans.

130 #PL appearances
59 goals

Mark Viduka joined @LUFC #OnThisDay in the year 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/N4oQw58W4o

— Premier League (@premierleague) July 21, 2017

Mark Viduka: had his moment of glory when he scored four against Liverpool and scored four against them.

Harry Kewell: had a left foot that could conjure up moments of magic.

Harry Kewell wasting no time ⏱#GoalOfTheDay • @LUFC pic.twitter.com/PJXpcYMjx1

— Premier League (@premierleague) March 2, 2021

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink: was a man born of the wind, hitting the ball as clean and as hard as anyone.

#OnThisDay 1999
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink struck a brace as Leeds won 2-1 at Aston Villa.

The first goal thumped in after a powerful run, the second a brilliant free kick.

Some striker! ⚽️ #LUFCpic.twitter.com/PtwEGzgkOE

— Football Remind ⚽️ (@FootballRemind) February 17, 2025

Leeds is back in the Premier League now, and it is still in its attacking mode, and more hat-tricks are probably in its future.

Liverpool achieved a significant breakthrough toward winning the 2024-25 Premier League title, following their 2-0 triumph over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. 

Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai netted two goals in the first half to secure a 2-0 lead at the break, as the Reds comfortably won the game, adding three more points to their tally.

UP THE REDS ✊🔴 #MCILIV pic.twitter.com/UwHfBoO7Eg

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 23, 2025

Liverpool were handed a huge boost after an injury-stricken Arsenal suffered a shocking 0-1 defeat against West Ham United at home on February 22nd, 2025.

Full-time at Emirates Stadium. pic.twitter.com/NcvjSVXo2B

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 22, 2025

Arsenal are now placed second at the table, having accumulated 53 points in 26 games. Liverpool, on the other hand, will now enjoy an 11-point lead at the top with 64 points in 27 matches. 

Liverpool fans have almost started celebrating their potential Premier League title after five years, raising a question as well, how many more points Liverpool need to win the title?

The equation to the coveted Premier League title for Liverpool

Arsenal, the second-placed team have 12 matches left to play in the league this season. If the Mikel Arteta-coached side can win every other remaining match, the maximum number of points they can achieve is 89. 

Interestingly, the Arne Slot-led team could reach the same total in just nine games if they win their next nine games consecutively. For context, Liverpool have 11 more games to play this season.

The Gunners and the Reds will also meet on May 10th, the 36th matchday of the season. This could be a face-off that can potentially turn out as the title-decider only if the point gap between Liverpool and Arsenal decreases.

11 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.

Liverpool are running away with it 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/0WkxW9Jfql

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 23, 2025

Liverpool will face the fifth-placed Newcastle United in a midweek Premier League clash on February 27th, whereas Arsenal will take on the third-placed Nottingham Forest on the same day. 

However, if Arsenal start losing more points considering their continuous injury woes, Liverpool may clinch the coveted title even before their encounter against The Gunners.

The motivation is there for Mohamed Salah 💬 pic.twitter.com/lcsP84jyXj

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 23, 2025

After this match-week, we will head onto a very congested schedule for both teams, including the UEFA Champions League knock-outs as well. However, will it be Arne Slot or Mikel Arteta who is going to lift their first-ever career PL title after the league concludes on 25 May?

The fans of both teams must keep an eye on the upcoming fixtures to decide further calculations or start celebrations as early as possible!