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Chelsea stand-in captain Gary Cahill gets on the end of Cesc Fabregas’ inviting free-kick to score the hosts’ second goal yesterday

England. — Since the precise time of goals in the Premier League started being recorded, 11 years ago, nobody has scored later than the 51st minute and 35th second of a first-half. One had the feeling yesterday, though, that if anyone was going to do something extraordinary, it was going to be Diego Costa. This was his match, his moment, his time to tell his team-mates, his manager and the Stamford Bridge faithful what the short-term future would hold.

Was it his intention to sulk his way through what remained of the 2016-17 season; or was he going to play ball and help steer Chelsea towards another title?

The answer came after 10 seconds. Costa bursting through, as he does, with a shot that flashed just wide. So, having been denied one of the most memorably early goes of the season, he scored one of the most memorably late instead.

There were nine minutes added by referee Neil Swarbrick, following a horrible clash of heads between Gary Cahill and Ryan Mason after 11 minutes. Cahill was ready to resume after treatment, but Mason’s injury was more serious. He was conscious, but badly hurt, and Hull’s medical staff gestured ominously in the temple area, as they explained what had happened to coach Marco Silva. Mason was removed on a stretcher, receiving oxygen, and was immediately taken to hospital.

What it meant, though, was that Chelsea were still playing as the clock edged past 5.20pm, drama that always plays well with the fans, who were urging them on as if playing their Joker in an old edition of Jeux San Frontieres. It’s a random factor, the extended injury time.

And as this was always going to be Costa’s day, it was him that made the most of it. Victor Moses hit a fizzer of a cross from the right, a few missed it, Costa did not. First time, into the corner.

He ran away making mocking chirping motions with his hands, a riposte to those who had speculated about rows, tantrums, China and possible exile under Antonio Conte.

The coach is too smart for that. Once Costa got over his latest mood – and maybe even noticed Chelsea kept winning 3-0 without him – there was no question of exemplary punishment.

Maybe Chelsea could have beaten Hull another way – but if Costa was available for selection again, why would they need to? What point was there to prove? The fans sang Costa’s name, and Conte’s. Everyone was happy. When he finally left the field after 87 minutes it was to adulation from the paying customers, and an enthusiastic handshake from his boss. All is well at Chelsea; meaning it isn’t elsewhere.

Hull were a handful, and maybe could have had a second-half penalty when Marcos Alonso fouled Abel Hernandez, but with 10 minutes remaining, Chelsea made sure they got the job done.

However, Arsene Wenger apologised for his behaviour after the Arsenal manager was sent off for rowing with fourth official Anthony Taylor during his team’s explosive 2-1 win against Burnley yesterday.

With the Gunners already down to 10 men following referee Jon Moss’s decision to send off Granit Xhaka for a reckless lunge, Wenger’s frustration boiled over when Burnley were awarded a late penalty at the Emirates Stadium.

Moreso, Southampton put the row over former captain Jose Fonte’s departure to one side as they beat struggling champions Leicester 3-0 in the Premier League at St Mary’s yesterday.

Fonte joined top-flight rivals West Ham in an £8 million move on Friday, with the Portugal defender having been dropped by Southampton manager Claude Puel earlier this month after he handed in a transfer request.— AFP/DailyMail