Taylor has played nearly 150 games for the Magpies

Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor admitted he feels guilty for their Carling Cup third round exit by Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

Taylor was at fault for Spurs' winner in the 2-1 win at St James' Park and confessed his disappointment at their early exit from the competition.

"I blame myself," the 22-year-old told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It was a mistake, it shouldn't have happened and I hold my hands up and apologise to everybody."

The loss comes as Newcastle find themselves on a dismal run of four defeats going back to late August, and Taylor has urged his team-mates to pull out of the slump with Saturday's visit of Blackburn Rovers.

"The last few weeks have been very difficult, and everybody knows we're going through a difficult time at the moment," he said.

"As players we've got to stand up and be counted, it's important we don't sulk and feel bad about ourselves.

"We're paid to do a job and we've got to do that properly and Saturday will be a massive game for us."

Greewnwich-born Taylor has been with the Magpies since joining the club's academy as a schoolboy and has made nearly 150 appearances since making his debut in March 2004.