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

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.

WATCH: KRUL CONGRATULATES DEFOE

THE TWITTER REACTION

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