Tim Krul smiles and congratulates Jermain Defoe for wonder-goal against him - then gets slated by Newcastle fans on Twitter

Posted Tuesday, April 07, 2015 by Independent.co.uk

Tim Krul smiles and congratulates Jermain Defoe for wonder-goal against him - then gets slated by Newcastle fans on Twitter
The incident happened after Defoe's stunning volley against him

It was a gesture of good sportsmanship, but many Newcastle supporters have slated goalkeeper Tim Krul on Twitter for smiling and congratulating Sunderland scorer Jermain Defoe in the tunnel at half-time after Defoe scored a wonder-goal against him to put Sunderland 1-0 up in the Tyne-Wear derby.

The stunning left-footed strike was scored just before the break. The Dutch goalkeeper Krul then waited in the tunnel for Defoe so he could offer his praise after he was well beaten by the goal.

Tim Krul smiles and congratulates Jermain Defoe for wonder-goal against him - then gets slated by Newcastle fans on Twitter

The terrific strike would be the only goal scored in the game, and secure all three points for Sunderland, making it five wins in a row over their fierce North East rivals.

It was the Black Cats first victory under manager Dick Advocaat, ending their eight-game winless run, and lifting them three points clear of the relegation zone with seven matches left.

Defoe's sublime goal wasn't in keeping with a typically scrappy derby match between two of the Premier League's out-of-form teams.

Newcastle have lost four successive games but are nine points above the bottom three.