Newcastle United caretaker boss Chris Hughton jumped to the defence of Steven Taylor after last night's defeat to Manchester United.

United winger Cristiano Ronaldo found himself on the wrong end of Taylor's flailing arm just before the break, the defender earning a booking and Rio Ferdinand following him after calling for sterner action.

It is understood a heated debate continued in the tunnel at the break, although caretaker Newcastle boss Chris Hughton was quick to defend his player.

He said: "Anybody who has seen the incident again will have seen where he actually made contact, and he made contact on the top of his shoulder and his neck.

"I have had the opportunity to see it again and I am quite sure if anybody here has, they would agree."