Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes that Diego Costa should be "admired" for the patience he shows on the pitch.
The Chelsea striker faces a three-game ban if found guilty of violent conduct after he allegedly stamped on Emre Can's ankle against Liverpool on Tuesday night.
The Spain international appeared to tread on his opponent and later committed a similar incident on Martin Skrtel during Chelsea's 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Capital One Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge.
"As for Diego Costa, I see it differently to the rest," Scholes wrote in his London Evening Standard column.
"I thought his actions were at the lower end of the scale of dangerous and that he was under extreme provocation from Martin Skrtel, who has wound him up before this season.
"My view of it was that Costa gets kicked a lot and actually his patience is to be admired in many, if not all, situations."
Costa is contesting the FA charge against him.
Danielle Joynson
