Taylor scored one goal in first-half injury time and set up another for Damien Duff after the break as Newcastle United came from behind to record a 2-2 draw away to Everton on Sunday.

The 22-year-old's performance at Goodison Park came on the back of high-profile errors against Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers.

However, Kinnear was always confident Taylor would recover his form.

The 61-year-old pulled Taylor to one side in training last week and told the England Under-21 captain he wanted him to lead his defence.

While Kinnear was forced to play the centre-half out of position at right-back after Habib Beye – who travelled to Merseyside, but did not play – failed a late fitness test, he was always confident Taylor would have a big say in the outcome of the game.

Kinnear told the Gazette: "Tayls, I thought, put all the previous problems that he's had behind him. He was probably our man of the match in some respects.

"He had a terrific performance, and a terrific game. He scored a great goal."

The goal was Taylor's first competitive strike of the season, and sixth of his United career.

Taylor is away with his Under-21 colleagues ahead of Friday's European Championship play-off first leg against Wales at Ninian Park. The return is at Villa Park four days later.