Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has apologised to referee Kevin Friend for his criticism after Chelsea's FA Cup third-round win over Watford.

Mourinho said that Friend should have awarded his side a penalty after defender Craig Cathcart appeared to handle a Diego Costa shot, and commented that the decision was part of a "campaign" against the Blues after a series of decisions that has disappointed the manager in recent weeks.

However, he has since told reporters: "I want to apologise for my comments in some TV interviews.

"What the referee did was great refereeing. He saw that it was a penalty, he was going to give a penalty, but he saw the ball was going to Remy and he waited a couple of seconds."

Chelsea next face Newcastle United in the Premier League.

Written by
Charlie Bennett