Chelsea forward Kai Havertz has refuted suggestions that he deliberately elbowed Newcastle United defender Dan Burn during Sunday's Premier League fixture.
Towards the end of the first half, the two players contested a high ball with Havertz's jumping into the challenge and making contact with the tall defender, who required several minutes of treatment.
Newcastle were disappointed that the Germany international, who later scored the only goal of the game, only received a yellow card, but Havertz has defended his role in the incident.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Havertz said: "People know me not as a player who does things like this. This guy is like seven, eight foot and I have to jump against him. You have to use arms to jump and when I jump he is higher than me, so it is tough.
"I can say sorry because I saw he was hurt and feel bad, but you cannot tell me I did this on purpose."
Havertz's late goal moved Chelsea to within 10 points of Premier League leaders Manchester City, as well as ending Newcastle's nine-match unbeaten run.
Darren Plant
