BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty was at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night and he gave his verdict on Diego Costa's actions.

"Costa made no attempt to hurdle Can and clearly brought his foot down with force on his ankle. Cue the swift emptying of both benches and a chaotic crowd scene," wrote Phil.

If Oliver has seen this, then there is no excuse for not showing Costa a straight red card. It should also be noted that neither manager reacted instantly despite that proximity.

To clarify, Diego Costa has been charged over an incident with Liverpool's Emre Can, rather than Reds' defender Martin Skrtel.

Costa appeared to stamp on Can's ankle early in the game, but faced no action from referee Michael Oliver.

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Darren Bent's goalscoring instincts are just what was required to help Derby County's Championship promotion bid, according to team-mate Ryan Shotton.

Substitute Bent scored both goals in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers, taking his tally to three in three appearances.

"He is exactly what we've needed," defender Shotton told BBC Radio Derby. "He brings a different dimension."

The FA has announced that Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been charged by for violent conduct following an on-field incident which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

The player has until 6pm on Thursday to respond to the charge.

Following a review of an incident during the game involving Costa and Liverpool's Martin Skrtel, The FA will not be taking any further action.

You do know this debate about Diego Costa is meant to be serious don't you...?

Andrew Neill: The press said in the summer that Costa would be quick to make his mark in England.

Kevin Hunt: Costa last night was total madness ... .just one step beyond.

David Thompson: The FA really need to put their foot down about this Costa controversy.

Ryan Gilbert: Costa puts his heart and sole into every tackle.

Colin Cross: Lucky for Costa it was the semi's he has not got another leg to play.

Right, enough, have mercy, we can't take any more...‏

John Carver says he will not allow Newcastle's season to "drift away" after being appointed head coach until the end of the season.

Carver has been handed the reins at St James' Park until the end of the season, starting with Saturday's trip to Hull.

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"Everybody on the outside is talking about our season petering away but I am not going to allow that to happen," he told Newcastle's website, external.

"Those who are saying that don't know me, don't know the people around me and don't know this group of players."

Dame Sarah Storey has returned to the coach who helped her to four cycling medals at London 2012 as she prepares for her attempt at the Hour record.

The 37-year-old 11-time Paralympic champion has asked Chris Furber, formerly head coach of British Cycling's para-cycling squad and now national performance director for para-swimming, to assist her in her effort, which takes place on February 28.

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The women's record of 46.065-kilometres was set in 2003 by Dutch rider Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel.

Austrian Matthias Brandle holds the men's record of 51.850km, which a number of riders, including Sir Bradley Wiggins, are poised to challenge in 2015.

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Gabriel Paulista has joined Arsenal from Villarreal, with striker Joel Campbell going to the Spanish club on loan for the rest of the season, the Premier League side has announced.

Birmingham have rejected a bid of £3.5m from Bournemouth from Demarai Gray.

The Cherries' fourth offer, which could have risen to £4m with add-ons, has been immediately dismissed by the St Andrew's club, PA Sport reports.

Image source, SNS

Glasgow Warriors lock Tom Ryder has signed for Northampton Saints until the end of the season.

The 29-year-old, who has two caps for Scotland, began his career in the Leicester Tigers Academy before moving to Saracens in 2006.

Director of rugby Jim Mallinder said: "We have a number of significant injuries in the second row, and Tom's experience and quality will be useful to have around the club over the next few months."

Vincent Pericard was at Juventus 13 years ago, and went on to play in the Premier League with Portsmouth and Stoke City.

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Last night, the striker came out of retirement to play for Moneyfields FC in the ninth tier of English football.

BBC Sport's Phil Harlow finds out how Pericard went from the Champions League to the Premier League. The Wessex Premier League, that is.

Ben Dirs
BBC Sport at the Six Nations launch

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre: Ireland are favourites for the Six Nations because they are the best team.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt: We were unaware we were favourites until this morning. It's a distraction, to be honest.

Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw: Vern Cotter [coach] has empowered us to play. We can't play within our shells or we'll keep getting the same results.

Newcastle have been linked with Hamburg striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga - but the Bundesliga club say there has been no official offer for the Germany Under-21 international.

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Hamburg sporting director Peter Knabel told Sport Bild about Newcastle's interest, saying: "There have been requests, but no offer."

The 23-year-old scored four times in 11 appearances for Germany's U21 side and hit 13 goals for Hamburg in 20 league games while on loan from Hertha Berlin in the 2013-14 season.

Crystal Palace midfielder Stuart O'Keefe has joined Cardiff City for an undisclosed fee.

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The 23-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year deal, external with the Bluebirds, which ends his four and a half year stay with the Eagles.

More on Chelsea's Diego Costa alleged stamping against Liverpool.

Philip Swan: My view on the Costa incidents - clearly deliberately trod on opponents, but to call them stamps is hyperbole.

Jeremy Garland: It may ruin my fantasy team this weekend but who cares! Ban Costa.

Rich Shimmo: What are the chances of Mr Oliver admitting he missed something in the game? About the same as Jose admitting Costa stamped.

Jojo Disotto: This Costa nonsense is an utter joke. Comparing him to Suarez is a disgrace, not intentional at all.

Darryl Messer: The Can stamp was cancelled by the no pen. But then he had the Skrtel stamp, the Gerrard incident. In total a red card

And, get ready for it...

Matt Roland: Some would say Costa hasn't got a leg to stand on... Oh wait.

Keep them coming at #bbcsportsday or the BBC Sport Facebook page.

And while we're talking golf, have you heard the one about Phil Mickelson giving away his Superbowl tickets to a kid halfway through a round?

It happened in 2008 when Phil had two tickets to the game being played between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants but decided not to go.

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"He asked his caddie to give them away and on the third tee approached a father and son and asked them if they liked football," report CBS Sports, external.

"The caddie reached into Mickelson's bag, pulled out the tickets and asked them if they would like to attend the Super Bowl. They later sent Mickelson a thank you letter."

Tiger Woods is aiming to prove he can still be the force he once when the Phoenix Open gets under way on Thursday in Arizona.

Woods will play for the first time since finishing joint last at the Hero World Challenge in December.

Image source, Getty Images

"My driving has come around and I'm a lot longer than I thought I ever could be again," said Woods. "My speed is way back up, and that's fun. I'm touching numbers that I did 15 years ago, so that's cool."

A quick reminder of the stories making the headlines today....

*Football: Portuguese footballer Luis Figo has become the latest shock candidate for the role of Fifa president.

*Rugby Union: England's injury problems have deepened with four more players likely to miss the Six Nations opener against Wales.

*Football: Winger Callum McManaman has joined West Brom from Wigan for £4.75m.

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*Tennis: Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka will meet in the Australian Open semi-finals after winning their quarter-final matches earlier today.

*Football: Jose Mourinho has been fined £25,000 by the FA for claiming there is a "campaign" to influence referees' decisions against his Chelsea side.

Aston Villa are back in the running to sign Manchester City's Scott Sinclair.

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The club have resumed talks with City over a possible move for the winger, PA Sport reports.

A loan deal is the most likely outcome for a player who has made just three starts since signing for City from Swansea for £6.2m in 2012.

Jose Mourinho has issued a statement supporting Luis Figo's bid to oust Sepp Blatter and become president of FIFA.

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The Chelsea boss, who was fined £25,000 by the FA earlier today for his referee 'campaign' comments, said: "Luis Figo's candidacy is a great step forward for football. His career over many years grants a better future for FIFA.

"I believe in his character and determination, as well as his passion for the game. He will be a President focused on football and its general improvement, acting closely with all Federations."