'Ugly' Ronaldo Clashed With 'Player Who Cannot Play'!

Last updated : 05 March 2009 By Footy Mad - Editor

Taylor was booked for a reckless challenge on Ronaldo in the final minutes of the first half in which he caught the Portuguese winger with a raised arm and sent him careering into the advertising hoardings around the side of the pitch.

The pair followed each other into the tunnel after the half-time whistle, and witnesses claim Ronaldo accused the Newcastle full-back of being a "rubbish footballer".

Taylor is understood to have countered by branding the reigning Footballer of the Year "ugly", and with the confrontation threatening to boil over, Rio Ferdinand and referee Steve Bennett were forced to intervene to break up the argument.

Chris Hughton: "I've had the opportunity to see it again, and I don't think there was too much in it.

"Ronaldo was going past and Steven Taylor has been headstrong in his endeavours to pull him back. He's caught him on the shoulder, but that's all it was.

"Anyone else seeing the incident would agree with that assessment."