Gareth Barry has confirmed that Chelsea striker Diego Costa did not bite him during a fiery FA Cup game at Goodison Park on Saturday.
The Everton midfielder took to social media to say that Costa didn't bite him on the neck during a heated exchange between the pair.
“Seen quite a lot of talk abut the incident involving me and Diego Costa in the game last night. For the record Diego did not bite me,” he said via his Fanzai account.
Shortly after the game Costa protested his innocence via a club spokesman.
The Spain international was sent off late in the 2-0 quarter-final defeat to the Toffees after clashing with Barry, who was also sent off moments later for his second booking after fouling Cesc Fabregas.
Television replays suggest Costa made to bite his opponent, before thinking better of it at the last second.
The Football Association said it was aware of the incident and would wait for referee Michael Oliver's report before a decision would be made about any possible action.
Chelsea later issued a statement on the club's official Twitter account maintaining the forward had not bitten Barry, but did regret his reaction.
A club spokesman 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."
Chelsea interim manager Guus Hiddink was asked whether the volatile Costa (above) should seek help for anger management and jokingly made reference to the 2003 film of the same name.
"There are movies about that, I think. One movie with Jack Nicholson. Maybe we go and watch it together," he added.
"I like him still going towards the edge, but you also have to take into consideration he was desperate to play today.
"It would have been better to rest him, but it is not the type of game you rest players.
"It is all the combination - not fully physically fit and all the provocations and he has to take responsibility for the incident."
Everton manager Roberto Martinez, who was grateful to two moments of brilliance from striker Romelu Lukaku before the red cards to settle an otherwise disappointing tie, played down the incident.
"My interpretation is I don't think it was a key moment. It was an emotional game and rightly so," said Martinez.
"Diego Costa had a fighting spirit and I would like to praise the referee (Michael Oliver). The sending-off of Costa was right.
"The sending-off of Gareth Barry was right and the referee never allowed those emotions to stop the fluency.
"Whatever happens with Diego Costa I am sure the two players shook it off.
"From where it was he moved his head towards Gareth Barry and I lost sight of that action.
"I thought it was a second yellow. It was a moment that didn't have an impact on the scoreline."
Martinez rejected the suggestion his players had targeted the temperamental Costa.
