TheCable

Diego Costa has been named the Barclays player of the month for August after an impressive start to life in English football.

The Spain international sealed a £32m move to Chelsea from reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid in July and has wasted no time in repaying the faith shown in him by manager Jose Mourinho.

Costa scored in his Premier League bow against Burnley, before goals against Leicester and Everton took his tally to four in three games.

“I’m very happy to win this award. It is important to begin well at a new club and I’m pleased with both my start to the season and also the team’s, which is the most important thing,” Costa said.

“I hope to continue scoring goals to help out the team and keep making our fantastic supporters happy. I thank my team-mates as they have helped me win this award.”

Costa saw off competition from team-mate Cesc Fabregas, Swansea City pair Nathan Dyer and Gylfi Sigurdsson, and Aston Villa’s Andreas Weimann to claim the award.

Swansea boss Garry Monk took the Premier League Manager of the Month award for August after leading his side to three straight wins.

The Welsh team have conceded just one goal this campaign – scored by Wayne Rooney during the victory over Manchester United – and remain two goals off Chelsea’s table-topping position on goal difference.

Monk toppled Mourinho for the monthly award.