Roeder denies Mourinho argument

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Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder avoided another Jose Mourinho controversy after the 1-0 Carling Cup defeat by Chelsea.

Mourinho waved an imaginary yellow card at Nicky Butt after the foul on Arjen Robben that led to Didier Drogba scoring the winner from a free-kick.

The two managers were seen talking after the goal but Roeder said they just "exchanged a few pleasantries".

Mourinho had apologised to Andy Johnson earlier in the day after accusing the Everton striker of diving on Sunday.

<a onClick="javascript:launchAVConsoleStory('6198831'); return false;" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/video_and_audio/help_guide/4304501.stm">Interview: Chelsea assistant coach Steve Clarke</a>

Roeder added that he had not even seen Mourinho's gesture during Wednesday's match.

If the free-kick was taken where it was awarded I don't think he can beat Shay Given Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder

"I do not see why everyone has to know what was said every time two managers have a chat on the touchline," said Roeder.

"They were pleasantries."

However, Roeder was unhappy with referee Chris Foy for allowing Chelsea to take the free-kick from which Drogba scored from the wrong place, despite the efforts of Nolberto Solano.

"It was definitely a free-kick but what annoyed me is that, between our players and the referee, the ball was allowed to be moved to open up the angle," he stated.

"If it was taken where it was awarded I don't think he can beat Shay Given."

Roeder did not want his side to be called unlucky but felt the outcome could have been different if Obafemi Martins' shot had bounced off the bar and over the line instead of on to it in the first half.

He is the striker in form at the moment - everything he hits seems to go in the net Chelsea assistant manager Steve Clarke on Didier Drogba

"We are talking about millimetres there," added Roeder. "Oba was unbelievably close.

"I don't think we were just holding them though, we were doing more than that. We had some outstanding periods of play and we were taking the game to them."

Chelsea's assistant manager Steve Clarke praised Drogba, who had only been on the field for five minutes when he scored.

Clarke said: "He is the striker in form at the moment. Everything he hits seems to go in the net.

"It is great for Didier because he is at the top of his form, scoring a lot of goals and getting a lot of praise.

"But it is great for the club, it is good for the team and we are very pleased with his contribution."

Drogba has scored in Chelsea's last three games and has a total of 17 in all competitions so far this campaign.

Clarke added: "On current form, it is difficult to find a striker who is better than Didier, not just for his goals but it has been mentioned before, his overall contribution to the team.

"At the end of the game when we were under a little bit of pressure for the last couple of minutes, he was back there heading balls away and fighting for the team.

"He is a great team player. He always works hard for the team and if he is not scoring goals, he is always doing something important for the team."