Chelsea manager Antonio Conte lauded Diego Costa after the striker made a decisive contribution in the premier league leaders' tempestuous 3-1 win at Manchester City.
Costa cancelled out Gary Cahill's own goal opener and set up Willian for Chelsea's second goal as Conte's men came from behind on Saturday to record an eighth successive victory.
The combative Spain international even acted as a peacemaker during an injury-time melee in which City pair Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho were sent off, belying his reputation as a firebrand.
"Diego is showing he is using his passion in the right way and I'm very happy about that," said Conte, whose team put four points between themselves and Pep Guardiola's City."
Costa has frequently fallen foul of England's football authorities since joining Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in 2014.
His form slumped last season as Chelsea's title defence disintegrated, but he is the league's joint-top scorer with 11 goals and believes he has benefited from keeping his head.
"I want to be on the pitch and I want to be cool," Costa said.
City deservedly went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Cahill's near-post lunge saw him turn Jesus Navas's cross into his own net.
Costa equalised on the hour, chesting down a pass from Cesc Fabregas and slamming a low shot past Claudio Bravo, before freeing substitute Willian to run through and score Chelsea's second.
Eden Hazard sealed victory in the final minute of normal time after cantering onto a pass from Marcos Alonso.
An injury to Nemanja Matic saw Fabregas make his first appearance since Chelsea's 3-0 loss at Arsenal on September 24.
Chelsea missed Matic's positional discipline as City pulled them all over the pitch, but Conte saluted Fabregas's contribution.
"He played a good game," said the Italian. "I know I can always count on him."
