Cashley apologises for tackle

Ashley Cole has apologised after his horror challenge on Alan Hutton during Chelsea's 4-4 draw with Tottenham in the Premiership yesterday evening. Ashley Cole was lucky to escape without a red card, and said it wasn't a malicious challenge.

"I'd like to apologise to anyone I offended and of course Alan Hutton who I tackled.

"I didn't mean to go in hard that way, it was high but I tried to read the ball and get the ball first, but he was a little bit too quick for me.

"It wasn't malicious and I'm a little disappointed with what people are saying, that I meant it. Of course it was a bad tackle at the time but in the heat of the moment you want to win the game and win every tackle, and as I said I'm sorry for Alan, but it was never meant.

"I'm an emotional person, things can happen on the pitch very quickly but I didn't mean to disrespect the referee."