Diego Costa did NOT bite me, insists Everton midfielder Gareth Barry

The Chelsea striker lent in to Barry's neck and appeared to bite him, but the former Man City man says that was not the case.

Gareth Barry has jumped to the defence of Diego Costa by revealing the Chelsea star did not bite him.

Diego Costa did NOT bite me, insists Everton midfielder Gareth Barry

Costa buried his head into the Everton midfielder's neck during the Goodison Park side's 2-0 victory in the FA Cup.

It appeared as though the Spain international was attempting to sink his teeth into Barry and he was dismissed for the incident after referee Michael Oliver showed him a second yellow card.

But Barry, who was sent off as well soon after for a second bookable offence, has backed Costa's claim that he wasn't bitten.

He posted on social media app Fanzai: "Seen a lot of talk about the incident involving me and Diego Costa in the game last night. For the record he did not bite me."

Barry was praised for his reaction to the incident during the game and the fact he did not make a meal out of anything that happened to try to get Costa sent off.

A Chelsea spokesperson confirmed after the game that Costa had denied any bite.

They said: "Diego spoke to club officials after the game and expressed regret over his reaction to the challenge from Gareth Barry that led to his red card.

"But Diego was also very clear that he did not bite him at any point during that altercation."