Chris Coleman leaps to defence of Wales defender Neil Taylor

Chris Coleman defended Neil Taylor after Republic of Ireland defender Seamus Coleman was left with a broken leg in their fierce World Cup qualifier in Dublin.

The Everton full-back was carried from the field on a stretcher after Taylor had been shown a straight red card for his 69th-minute tackle during Friday night's goalless draw.

The Football Association of Ireland confirmed later that Coleman had broken his right leg and the Republic captain is expected to undergo surgery on Saturday.

Television underlined the severity of the injury by choosing not to show replays of the incident which ended Coleman's season.

There were few scoring chances in what turned out to be a feisty affair.Republic midfielder Glenn Whelan caught his Stoke team-mate Joe Allen with a swinging forearm right on half-time, and Gareth Bale scythed down John O'Shea in a fashion which had the home fans screaming for a red card.

Bale was booked, ruling him out of Wales' trip to new Group D leaders Serbia in June, and once more escaped being sent off for a high foot in the final quarter.

Republic manager Martin O'Neill said he had been told Taylor's tackle "wasn't great".

Serbia took over top spot in the group after their 3-1 win at Georgia earlier in the day.

They are tied on 11 points with the Republic, with Wales and Austria - 2-0 winners over Moldova - four points behind.