Mourinho says sorry for Johnson jibe

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho(R) is held back by the fourth official after complaining about an Andy Johnson dive during their English Premiership football match at Goodison Park on 17 December, 2006. Mourinho has apologised to Johnson saying he wrongly accused him of diving for a penalty in the Premiership match between the clubs on Sunday.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has apologised to Everton striker Andy Johnson saying he wrongly accused him of diving for a penalty in the Premiership match between the clubs on Sunday.

The Portuguese coach's comments incensed both the player and his manager David Moyes and Everton said they were considering taking legal action over the matter unless Mourinho apologised.

But in an apparent effort to ease the tensions, Mourinho said he had the "utmost respect" for Everton, Moyes and his players.

"That's why I love to play them, and especially at Goodison Park where the atmosphere is magnificent," the Chelsea boss said.

"Secondly, after the match I was clear and said Andy Johnson is a great player and I never used aggressive words, like some managers did against my players in previous seasons, or like some others recently said about him and Ronaldo. I never used the word 'cheat'.

"After seeing it again on the video, (referee) Mr Halsey did wonderful work and both decisions for penalties were correct.

"Did Andy Johnson try to avoid a collision with my goalkeeper? It seems now the answer to that is yes so Everton, his manager and he deserve my apologies."

At Goodison Park, Mourinho had branded Johnson "a dangerous kind of opponent" after sparking an angry touchline argument with his reaction to Johnson's tumble over goalkeeper Hilario.

Mourinho waved an imaginary yellow card in the air and then laid into Johnson after the game, claiming the player had been "embarrassed" by his conduct.

"You cannot trust him," he said. "A great player but too much of that."

Mourinho's decision to issue an apology to the club, Moyes and Johnson has enabled him to avoid any action from football authorities.

A spokesman for the Football Association (FA) said: "We are pleased this issue has been sensibly resolved.

"It is important to remind everybody in football of the need to respect opponents and other people in the game for the good image of the sport."