Premier League: Chelsea's Gary Cahill to escape FA punishment for Harry Kane incident

The FA will not take retrospective action against Chelsea’s Gary Cahill for an off-the-ball incident with Tottenham striker Harry Kane on New Year’s Day, according to Sky sources.

TV footage appears to show Blues defender Cahill kicking Kane in the back while the Spurs star was seated on the ground during the second half of Chelsea's 5-3 defeat at White Hart Lane on Thursday.

The incident was not seen by referee Phil Dowd, who was heavily criticised by Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho afterwards for missing other incidents, and Cahill is set to avoid any punishment whatsoever.

Mourinho was unhappy with Dowd’s performance in the defeat that dissipated Chelsea’s lead at the top of the Premier League, suggesting the referee was “too slow” to keep up with play and missed a blatantly penalty for his side in the first half.

“Mr Dowd is too slow to go with an incident with Eden Hazard – he was 40 yards away,” Mourinho said.

“He made the right decision, so that’s good, but he couldn't make the decision that was 10 metres away in the first half – a crucial moment of the game.

“Managers and players, we win and lose but Mr Dowd didn't lose. This is the type of decision that is very difficult to accept.”

Mourinho will also face no action from the FA for his comments about Dowd, according to Sky sources.