Manchester United legend Paul Scholes defended Jonny Evans in his spit storm with Newcastle United striker Papiss Cisse. The FA last season suspended Hull's George Boyd for three games after he was caught spitting at Joe Hart of Manchester City and Evans and Cisse could be hit with similar punishments.

Scholes laid the blame squarely at the Toon striker, who retaliated by appearing to spit in Evans' face after the United defender had spat towards Cisse while he was on the ground.

Scholes said: "I think Jonny is spitting on the floor. I know Jonny, he's not that type of person.

"If he wants to do that then it's not hard to miss, is it? He's only stood a yard away from him.

"What Cisse does afterwards is unforgivable."

And fellow pundit Steve McManaman added: "Cisse stands up and spits right at Jonny Evans' neck from about six inches. It's absolutely disgusting.

"Two wrongs do not make a right. If Jonny Evans has spat at it then it's wrong. but for Papiss Cisse to get up and react like that is absolutely disgusting.

"We talk about bad tackles, but that is worse. "