Chelsea's Diego Costa Denies Biting Gareth Barry
Diego Costa apologised for his red card, but did not bite Gareth Barry in the defeat to Everton, Chelsea have insisted.
Chelsea striker Diego Costa has denied that he bit Gareth Barry during the FA Cup defeat to Everton.
The Spain international was sent off for a second yellow card in the closing stages of Saturday's 2-0 quarter-final loss at Goodison Park after reacting angrily to a challenge from Barry.
Costa was seen pushing his face into the midfielder's neck, prompting suggestions he tried to bite the former Manchester City man.
Chelsea have now stated that Costa apologised for getting sent off, but insist the striker made it clear the biting claims are baseless.
A Chelsea spokesman said: "Diego spoke to club officials after the game and expressed regret over his reaction to the challenge from Gareth Barry that led to his red card, but Diego was also very clear that he did not bite him at any point during that altercation."
Chelsea fell to a 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park, with former Blues striker Romelu Lukaku scoring twice to eliminate Guus Hiddink's side at the quarter-final stage.
