sport news Can Gonzalo Higuain emulate Diego Costa's stunning Everton performance from ...

As Chelsea visit Everton, it brings to mind their meeting in 2014, the day Diego Costa scored in the first and last minutes while somehow escaping a sending off.

Costa was a swine that day at Goodison Park, to the extent he celebrated Seamus Coleman scoring an own goal by laughing in the Republic of Ireland international's face.

Chelsea lost Costa in 2017. Alvaro Morata could not fill his boots, while Olivier Giroud has long been deemed a back-up striker. Now it is Gonzalo Higuain's turn.

Diego Costa scores in the final minute to seal a 6-3 win for Chelsea at Everton in August 2014

Diego Costa scores in the final minute to seal a 6-3 win for Chelsea at Everton in August 2014

Higuain is set for his 10th Chelsea appearance on Sunday. In his previous nine, he has contributed three goals, assisted none and averaged four shots a game.

He scored twice in a 5-0 win over Huddersfield, the side sitting bottom of the table, and the opener in a 2-1 victory against Fulham, second bottom.

So he has not hit the ground running. In Italy and on the international stage, Higuain found himself accused of being a flat-track bully, though it would be too soon to brand him that now.

Costa was a swine that day at Goodison Park, but he has never been replaced since he's left

Costa was a swine that day at Goodison Park, but he has never been replaced since he's left

Higuain is still getting used to the English game and it is not as if he isn't giving it a go, either. Since his Premier League debut, no player has had more shots than his 25.

Yet manager Maurizio Sarri will require more if Chelsea are to qualify for the Champions League via the top four rather than rely on winning the Europa League.

Of the Premier League's top six, Chelsea have the worst record in front of goal. They have scored 50, with Tottenham the next nearest on 57 then Manchester United on 58.

Eden Hazard has chipped in with his fair share under Sarri – he has 13 in the Premier League so far – but Chelsea are still looking to fill their Costa-shaped hole.

Manchester City have Sergio Aguero, who has scored 18 times in the top flight this season. Liverpool have Mohamed Salah on 17. 

Alvaro Morata tried but was not up to scratch and left for Atleitco Madrid in January

Alvaro Morata tried but was not up to scratch and left for Atleitco Madrid in January

It's Gonzalo Higuain's turn to see if he can emulate Costa's Everton display and fill his boots

It's Gonzalo Higuain's turn to see if he can emulate Costa's Everton display and fill his boots

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