ENGLAND skipper Alan Shearer has admitted that he apologised to Tony Adams as soon as the final whistle blew in Saturday's FA Cup Final for the foul that earned him a booking. The two men, who epitomise the passion of the English game, clashed during the match which Arsenal won 2-0 to complete The Double.
Seconds before half-time Shearer, presumably frustrated by an opening half in which his outclassed team-mates had barely provided him with a sniff of goal, clattered into the Arsenal captain near the corner flag and was rightly cautioned by referee Paul Durkin. But, after the recent controversy surrounding his challenge on Leicester City midfielder Neil Lennon and subsequent appearance before the FA, Shearer was quick to make sure nothing more was made of his rash challenge.
He said: "I told Tony Adams that I was sorry after the game. I found him to tell him that - but there were five or six moments like that during the game. I don't feel I made contact but wanted to make certain that everything was okay with him. I don't want to criticise the referee because they have a hard job to do."
The £15m Newcastle frontman had a disappointing afternoon at Wembley, summed up when his left-foot drive beat David Seaman but bounced back off the inside of a post. Just minutes later, Nicolas Anelka scored Arsenal's second. Shearer said: "Although we've got a lot of things to look forward to this summer, and I start again on Tuesday with England, it was a huge disappointment for us all.
"I'm certain we'll not get over it for the next couple of days. But I've got things to look forward to with England and I've got to put this disappointment to the back of my mind. We can't feel sorry for ourselves."

SHEARER WATCH
Football 365's guide to Shearer's frustrating 90 minutes at Wembley.
1st minute Shearer's first touch, a header 40 yards out, sets up Newcastle's first attack.
13 mins Another header as he tries to find Temuri Ketsbaia, but the Georgian had run into an offside position just outside the box.
27 mins Fires in a cross from the right touchline that reaches Ketsbaia, who shoots from 20 yards and forces the first real save of the match from David Seaman.
40 mins Hits a free-kick with his right foot from 25 yards but it sails over the bar.
43 mins Fixes Alessandro Pistone with an ‘if looks could kill' stare after the Italian balloons a centre out of play.
45 mins Bundled over by Tony Adams just outside the penalty area as the two jump for the ball. Referee Durkin waves play on.
47 mins (injury time)Booked for a foul on Adams, after a needless lunge at his England colleague wide on the Arsenal left.
51 mins Collects the ball in centre field but is fouled by Winterburn, who is booked.
58 mins Shows great skill to skip past Adams 35 yards out. The defender pulls him down, conceding a free-kick.
65 mins Hits a post with an angled left-foot shot from 12 yards after an unforced error by Martin Keown let him in on goal.
84 mins Has a clear chance eight yards out but is denied by a fabulous Winterburn tackle a split second before he can shoot.
85 mins Sends a tame free-kick wide from 20 yards.