Diego Costa has stopped "setting fires" all over the pitch and is now focussed on delivering extraordinary performances for Chelsea, according to Garth Crooks.
Chelsea laboured against a resilient West Brom side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but Costa unleashed a brilliant curling effort 14 minutes from time to secure a ninth Premier League win in a row for Antonio Conte's title chasers.
That strike was Costa's 12th league goal of the season - the same number he hit last term - while the 28-year-old has also curbed his aggressive tendencies to avoid adding any further cautions to the four yellow cards he picked up in the first six league games of the 2016/17 campaign.
Former Tottenham striker Crooks is quickly becoming a fan of the Spanish forward following his struggles last season, and says the striker's new-found focus on performances is the key to his shift in fortunes.
"I hated this player last season and now I am starting to love him," he wrote in his BBC sport column. "What a finish, what a performance and what a victory for Chelsea.
"One goal was always going to decide this fixture and it was a simple matter of who was going to make the first mistake.
"Unfortunately for West Brom, it was Gareth McAuley, who has been outstanding for the Baggies once again this season.
"He let Diego Costa in on a pass he had no right to win and what then took place was quite extraordinary.
"Costa, having won what appeared to be a lost cause, took aim from the most acute angle and curled a sensational shot into the top corner.
"Costa seems to be putting all his efforts into his game and seems to be less concerned with setting fires all over the pitch."
