Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul has played down the significance of congratulating Jermain Defoe for his wonder goal in this afternoon's 1-0 defeat to bitter North-East rivals Sunderland.

The former England striker marked his first Wear-Tyne derby in style by slamming a thunderous volley beyond Krul on the stroke of half time at the Stadium of Light.

At the break, the Dutchman appeared to share a joke with Defoe in an act that may irk Newcastle fans due to the hostile rivalry between both clubs.

Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher was vocal in his condemnation of the keeper, but Krul stresses that the gesture should not be taken the wrong way by the supporters.

"What I actually told him I probably cannot repeat on television as it wasn't nice," Krul told Sky Sports News.

"It was a fantastic goal, everybody can accept that. What I told him was in the region of what a lucky guy he was.

"Listen, I have been here for 10 years, I am hurt as anybody else. Whoever wants to put a negative spin on that is not justified."

Afterwards, United boss John Carver slammed his side's "abysmal" performance.