Hutton not blaming Cole

Defender shrugs off Cole furore

Last updated: 20th March 2008

Alan Hutton injured Tottenham v Chelsea

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Alan Hutton has defended Ashley Cole following his dangerous tackle on the Tottenham full-back.

Cole sparked a red card storm during Chelsea's thrilling 4-4 draw with Tottenham at White Hart Lane with a horror tackle on Hutton in the first half.

The incident provoked an angry reaction from both sets of players and both benches as tempers threatened to boil over.

Cole was fortunate to escape a red card with the England international only picking up a yellow card from referee Mike Riley.

Hutton refused to blame Cole for the tackle and he accepted the player's apology for the challenge.

No blame

"He went to win the ball and I've just got there quicker," Hutton told the Daily Mail.

"I wasn't thinking about whether he would be sent off, I knew the challenge was high but so was the ball.

"I am not blaming him for it, I've probably done a similar challenge in my career. He said he never meant it afterwards and that's fine with me."