• Premier League

Terry questions Costa fitness concerns

John Terry and Diego Costa are part of a Chelsea side that have secured six wins from seven Premier League matches © Getty Images

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John Terry has appeared to question Jose Mourinho's claim that Diego Costa is bearly able to train as a result of a hamstring problem.

The Chelsea captain insisted that his team-mate, who is the Premier League's leading goalscorer with nine strikes so far, was looking sharp in training, despite Mourinho's assertion that the striker can do "almost nothing" between matches.

"I'm not sure where that's coming from," Terry said. "He isn't showing that in training. He looks sharp, he looks angry, he looks aggressive."

Costa scored his ninth of the season against on Sunday as Chelsea defeated Arsenal 2-0 at a fractious Stamford Bridge, and Terry praised the Spainiard's finishing in his side's sixth win from seven games.

"He's fit and that's the main thing," Terry added. "Diego has been a nightmare for defenders. He popped up with another great finish."

A delightful pass from Cesc Fabregas set up Costa and the former Arsenal captain was also praised by Terry.

"When it's quiet and tight like that you need someone to open up the defence," he added. "He's not only shown it against Arsenal but from day one."

Terry also said that he is thrilled with Chelsea's fine start to the Premier League season, but insisted it is just that - the beginning.

Chelsea have taken a five-point lead over Manchester City into the international break after Sunday's win over Arsenal. Manchester United are eight points behind, with Arsenal and Liverpool nine adrift.

With Jose Mourinho's history of claiming titles from the front, some are suggesting Chelsea's position looks ominous for the rest of the division, but 31 games still remain.

"Clearly it [the title race] is not over," Terry said. "Other teams have been in this position. It's nice to have the lead but when you're at the top everyone wants to shoot you down.

"That's the good thing about the Premier League and why everyone loves it.

"Teams are out to get us because we are at the top and playing well. The international break is here and we need to come back and maintain our form after that as well. It's very important we do that."

Chelsea are chasing a first Premier League title since 2010 - their only championship since two-time winner Mourinho's first spell ended in September 2007 - and Terry wants his side to exploit any slips by their rivals.

"You're just hoping when you're at the top and have a five-point cushion and more on certain teams, a couple of them slip up again and that increases," he added.

"If that happens, it's a lot of points to give up early on. All we can do is keep winning and wait for those teams to slip up."

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