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Manchester City's Manuel Pellegrini: 'Diego Costa should change his behaviour'

Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini believes that Diego Costa needs to change his behaviour after he was given a three-match ban for violent conduct.

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes that Chelsea striker Diego Costa should change his on-field behaviour after he was given a three-match ban for violent conduct.

The Football Association has punished the Spain international for allegedly stamping on Emre Can's ankle during Chelsea's 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Capital One Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.

Costa contested the charge with the reported backing of his club, but the FA has dismissed his appeal.

As a result, Costa will not play a part in Saturday's clash against Premier League title rivals City on home turf.

"He is a great player, a very important player," Pellegrini told reporters. "He has his character, it is not an easy character but I hope for him, that this punishment, I am not trying to take advantage for the game tomorrow, I think it will be a good thing for him to change in the future because he doesn't need to do it in that way because he is a very good player, a top player."

City are five points behind Chelsea, who lead the way in the Premier League table.

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Manchester City's English midfielder Frank Lampard acknowledges the crowd after scoring his goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester on September 21, 2014
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4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
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8Aston Villa125431919019
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12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
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17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


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