Capital One Cup: FA charges Chelsea striker Diego Costa over 'stamp' on Liverpool's Emre Can

Diego Costa and Emre Can clash early in Chelsea's 1-0 win

Chelsea striker Diego Costa has been charged with violent conduct over his clash with Liverpool's Emre Can on Tuesday night.

A statement from the Football Association confirmed Costa's alleged stamp was missed by all four officials on duty for the second leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final at Stamford Bridge.

Referee Michael Oliver has since watched replays and told the FA the offence warranted a red card, and Costa now faces a three-match ban if the charge is proven.

That would sideline Chelsea's top scorer for the huge Saturday Night Football game against champions Manchester City, and subsequent matches against Aston Villa and Everton.

Costa has until 6pm on Thursday either to accept or contest the charge, and a final outcome will be reached before the weekend.

He will not be punished over a separate incident involving Martin Skrtel which was also reviewed by the match officials.

Speaking in the Sky Sports studio at Stamford Bridge, Thierry Henry and Jamie Redknapp both condemned Costa's stamp on Can as deliberate, and that view was shared by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

But Jose Mourinho defended his player and said Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty for a Skrtel foul on Costa.

Watch Chelsea v Manchester City live on Saturday Night Football this weekend. Coverage begins at 4.45pm on Sky Sports 1.