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Diego Costa returns to Chelsea team to face Hull City

Diego Costa celebrates scoring Chelsea's second goal during the Premier League match against Southampton
Image: Diego Costa is back in the Chelsea team

Diego Costa returned to Chelsea's starting XI for the Premier League leaders' home game against Hull City on Sunday.

The Brazil-born Spain international, Chelsea's top scorer with 14 goals, missed last weekend's 3-0 win at Leicester City due to a back complaint.

But he was reported to have had a furious training-ground row with fitness coach Julio Tous and was also thought to be the subject of a mega-money offer from Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian.

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Costa replaced Willian in the only change made by Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.

Conte said: "I try to make the best decision for the team - and for this reason I decided to start him."

Asked if Costa was in the right frame of mind to play, Conte added: "If I decide to pick a player in my starting eleven for sure he must have a great mentality."

Hull manager Marco Silva handed a debut to Norwegian right-back Omar Elabdellaoui and a full debut to Brazilian midfielder Evandro.

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