Southampton striker Graziano Pelle has jumped to the defence of Chelsea centre-forward Diego Costa.
Costa is serving a three-match ban for his stamping antics against Liverpool in midweek.
Pelle, 29, said: "When I was playing in FeyenoordJoris Mathijsen was our defender. He had played for Malaga and he said 'Graziano, Diego Costa is a good player but he is a 'asesino' - an assassin. He is really and you are not'.
"He told me that three years ago. Now when I see Costa play I can see.
"You have to be aware, kick before you receive. Every game I go off the field with my ankle bruised. England is like this. If you don't give, you will receive 100 per cent.
"He plays in a dirty way, but this is the way he plays. I don't like it if you give an elbow - from the defender or from the striker.
"Defenders always do it and you don't see the defender criticised. It's because they are a defender and the striker shouldn't do it?
"It's like me, every game I get pushed. I don't have to say to the referee 'Oh, I got pushed'. It is better next time I will be stronger.
"I know that I have to protect myself and be strong, but I don't like it when anyone does something to injure a player.
"I have watched Costa a lot. He is a good player.
"I know his story in football. He was away on loan, then he got injured, then he start to play and scored so many goals. But when I see how he plays, he is a very good striker. "
