Jose sorry for Johnson row

Jose Mourinho has said sorry for criticising Andy Johnson at the weekend.

Jose Mourinho has apologised to Andrew Johnson, but insists he never called the Everton striker a cheat.

Everton had outlined plans to lodge a complaint about Mourinho following comments made by the Chelsea manager after Sunday's game at Goodison Park.

Mourinho insinuated that Johnson had dived in an attempt to try and win a penalty during Chelsea's 3-2 victory.

The Blues boss has apologised for his comments, but is adamant he never branded the England international a cheat.

"First I would like to say I have the utmost respect for Everton Football Club, David Moyes and their players," said Mourinho in a statement on Chelsea's official website.

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

"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, 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."