Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has expressed his disappointment following 'very poor taste' chants by Sunderland fans towards Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor
Sky Bet
- £10 Free Bet
In the build-up to Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby, Taylor had stoked the fires by claiming that no Sunderland player would get in to the current Newcastle team.
Taylor was the target of abuse from home fans from the warm-up to the end of a tight encounter despite only playing the last 10 minutes as a substitute, and on at least two occasions, smiled at and applauded the home crowd.
However, there were repeated chants of, 'Steven Taylor, we wish you were dead' among other unsavoury offerings from both sets of fans, one from the away end referring to Jimmy Savile, and although both O'Neill and Magpies counterpart Alan Pardew insisted they had not heard them, the Ulsterman voiced his disappointment.
He said: "I didn't know that. That would be poor, in very poor taste, if that's the case. I would be disappointed to have heard that."
Taylor has been a target for Sunderland fans since winning the penalty from which Shola Ameobi snatched a 1-1 draw at St James' Park in February 2009 after going down all too easily when challenged by Steed Malbranque.
O'Neill revealed he had not referred to the 26-year-old's pre-match comments in his team talk, but admitted his players were well aware of what had been said.
He said: "It didn't figure in my team talk, but some of the players had passed comment about it.
"He's absolutely entitled to his opinion. I am delighted he made their bench."
Related stories
-
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle United: All Square In Wear-Tyne Derby
-
O'Neill: We Should Have Made Extra Man Count
-
Pardew: Skipper's Return Key
Your comments
More from Sunderland AFC
-
Transfer Talk: Sunderland In For Striker Charlie Austin?
-
Transfer Talk: Sunderland May Miss Out On Danny Rose
-
Spurs 1 - 0 Sunderland: Bale Brilliance Sinks Paolo Di Canio's Side
-
Paolo Di Canio: Sunderland Would Have Gone Down Without Me
-
Transfer Talk: Simon Mignolet's Agent Rubbishes Talk Of A Move
-
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland Preview: SAFC To Play With 'Dignity'
-
Paolo Di Canio Fires Holiday Threat At Sunderland Squad
-
Sunderland Safe From Relegation: Reaction From Ex Player and Fanzines
Related tags: Sport
-
Newcastle 0 - 1 Arsenal: Final Day Defeat As Steve Harper Says Goodbye
-
Lance Armstrong's Life Story Trampled Underfoot In Newcastle
-
Newcastle United Manager Alan Pardew Confident Over Future
-
Yorkshire Bank 40: Durham Lose To Hampshire By Five Wickets
-
Danny Simpson Confirms Newcastle Exit
-
Newcastle Boss Alan Pardew: I'm Staying At St James' Park
-
Newcastle United Owner Mike Ashley Offers £1Million Incentive To Beat Arsenal
-
Newcastle United v Arsenal Preview: NUFC 'Owe A Performance'
Related tags: Football
-
Newcastle United Dad-To-Be Davide Santon Spared 99mph Driving Ban
-
Newcastle United Owner Mike Ashley Arrives At Training Ground In Helicopter
-
Sports Direct News Apologises For Newcastle Rooney Bid Claims
Related tags: Sunderland
-
SAFC Boss Di Canio On Connor Wickham Frustration: I Have To Slap His Face
-
Sunderland's Alfred N'Diaye Impressed By Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet
-
Sunderland 1 - 1 Southampton: Di Canio Hails Important Point Against 'Better' Saints
-
Transfer Talk: Sunderland In For Croatia Left Back Ivan Strinic
-
Sunderland v Southampton Preview: Di Canio's Side Seek Safety Against Saints
-
Transfer Talk: Maritimo Defender Valentin Roberge Set For Sunderland
-
Sunderland Boss Di Canio: Sir Alex Ferguson Tried To Sign Me Twice
-
Sunderland Boss Paolo Di Canio: Danny Rose Has Great Future
