McClaren gets an apology: Steve McClaren yesterday said he had received an apology from the referee's assistant who wrongly adjudged West Ham had scored a second goal at Upton Park on Sunday, reports Jon Brodkin. West Ham won the game 2-1, leaving the Middlesbrough manager furious with Ralph Bone's decision.

Replays showed Mark Schwarzer had comfortably prevented a potential own-goal by Chris Riggott from crossing his line, but Bone indicated it was a goal, giving West Ham a decisive 2-0 lead.

"I've had a call from the assistant referee apologising profusely," McClaren said. "He said that he thought it was the correct decision at the time, but now realises it was an over-reaction. He said he had watched it on TV and realised he had made a horrendous error.

"However, he said he was sorry there was nothing he could do now to change his decision, but he felt he wanted to come on the phone to apologise. I appreciate the call, and I appreciate his honesty. Hopefully there are lessons to be learned from it."

Cruyff offer

Dutch legend Johan Cruyff claims he would be happy to teach Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho how to play very well - just like at Ajax in the 1970s or Barcelona in the 1990s. Earlier this season Cruyff maintained that Chelsea's style of play was, at times, based on sacrificing entertainment for points.

Mourinho, in his column in Portuguese sports magazine Dez Record, responded by inviting the Dutchman to teach him how to become a better manager. Now the Holland World Cup star has told Barcelona's La Vanguardia newspaper: "I am happy to hear that Mourinho would like me to teach him a few of the things I stand for. I would happily teach him not just about winning and playing well, but also about winning respect from people, and that is more important than the titles you win."