Bilic 'not happy' about referee's reluctance to dismiss Costa

Slaven Bilic believes Diego Costa should have seen red on Monday.

Speaking after West Ham United's 2016-17 Premier League adventure started with a 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, Bilic bemoaned the unwillingness of Anthony Taylor, the fixture's referee, to issue Costa with a second yellow card.

After Adrian messed around with the ball inside his own penalty area, Costa closed down the Spanish 'keeper, resulting in a studs-on-shin tackle that left the shot-stopper in obvious pain. West Ham's players appealed for Taylor to dismiss the native of Brazil, who was already on a yellow, but no cards were pulled out of the referee's pocket.

Costa then went on to score the winning goal in the 89th minute, drilling a shot past Adrian from 25 yards out.

Bilic was hesitant to criticise Taylor after the match, but the Croatian manager admitted he was "not happy" with the referee's decision and argued that, "nine times out of 10," the challenge would have produced a booking.

"Look, it's the first game of the season and we are already talking about those kind of decisions," Bilic said, according to Dominic Fifield of the Guardian.

"From our point of view we are not happy with that. I saw the tackle once again ... I don't think it was reckless. It was not a deliberate one. But it was late. Nine times out of 10, a challenge on a goalkeeper like this looks like a booking. Unfortunately this was the tenth time. But, really, I'm only disappointed with the way the goals were conceded."

West Ham will have a shot at redemption on Saturday, when the Hammers welcome AFC Bournemouth at the first-ever Premier League game at London Stadium.