Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard has warned teammate Diego Costa that he must avoid getting himself sent off if he is provoked by opposition players.

The striker has scored eight goals in six Premier League games following his summer move from Atletico Madrid, but he has picked up two yellow cards for reacting to provocations in matches at Everton and Manchester City.

City defender Pablo Zabaleta claimed that Costa should have been sent off when the Spaniard put his hands around his throat.

Hazard told the London Evening Standard: "We all know how he will react, he needs to be careful that he doesn't get too many yellow cards. This is part of the game, everyone knows that. He needs to focus.

"He is a very good striker, one of the top three in the world right now. When he is confident, he scores and right now he is confident and in form."

Costa scored in Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.