Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has admitted that he is struggling to come to terms with Sunday's dramatic defeat to Sunderland.

The Magpies were beaten 1-0 at St James' Park yesterday afternoon as Adam Johnson's 89th-minute strike made the difference between the local rivals.

Despite the cruel nature of the defeat, Taylor believes that he and his teammates only have themselves to blame for the outcome.

"We can't believe it," he is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News. "We were looking at the clock and thinking it would be a draw. We were just looking to see the game out.

"Maybe we got a bit carried away. Sometimes you have to shut the back door. I just can't believe it's another season that we have been beaten [by Sunderland]."

Newcastle have the chance to get back to winning ways on Boxing Day when they make the trip to Manchester United.