Five intimidating Premier League frontmen following Costa’s antics

Since arriving in the Premier League, Spain international forward Diego Costa has continuously been in the spotlight for either his match-winning performances in front of goal for Chelsea or involvement in heated incidents.

Jose Mourinho praised the Brazil-born striker for his ‘do or die’ attitude leading the Blues attack, but his latest bust-up with Arsenal centre backs Gabriel Paulista and Laurent Koscielny has only added to his growing reputation.

Following Costa’s antics, Coral writers look at five other intimidating top-flight frontmen that struck fear into defenders and were arguably masters of the ‘dark arts’.

Didier Drogba
The arrival of Costa as the fighting force of Stamford Bridge’s attacking line-up comes not long after Chelsea lost their heroic poacher and fan-favourite Drogba in the summer, with the striker having returned to work under Mourinho once again.

Chelsea’s former dominant forward was a menace to any defender he came up against, using his brute strength and clinical instincts to help the Blues battle to four domestic league titles. The Londoners are 7/1 to claim another Premier League trophy this season with the help of new ferocious frontman Costa.

Duncan Ferguson
With two rampant spells on the blue half of Merseyside with Everton, Ferguson was truly the definition of a top-flight targetman, using his physical attributes to help the Toffees lift the FA Cup in 1995.

The towering Scot was constantly embroiled in on-field bust-ups with opposing defenders, with his aggressive approach making him a cult hero at Goodison Park.

Alan Shearer
With his incredible ability to score with either foot and his true talents in front of goal, the Premier League’s all-time record hitman was almost impossible to deal with.

Coral ambassador Shearer possessed the power to deal with any opposing backline, which literally made him the most prolific striker in England to date.

Eric Cantona
Known for his French flair and ability to shift the balance of games in his side’s favour at will, Cantona was also well regarded for being a fierce competitor in the Premier League, having not been afraid to make the most of confrontations.

Other than his now infamous Kung-Fu kick incident for Manchester United, the Old Trafford legend was able to compete with seemingly superior defenders, helping him be the star of the Red Devils’ domestic domination in the 1990s.

Les Ferdinand
Tottenham currently have a young Harry Kane leading their line, and are 7/1 for a top four finish, but club legend Ferdinand was once the vocal point of all attacks at White Hart Lane.

Having dispatched the eighth-most goals in Premier League history, ‘Sir Les’, as he is affectionately known as by Spurs, Newcastle United and QPR fans alike, was a supreme striker that bullied defences for two decades.