Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer has branded Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas 'pathetic' after he pulled out of a tackle in the build-up to MK Dons' goal in the FA Cup tie between two clubs.

The incident occurred in the first half of the game, which the Blues eventually won 5-1, when the Spaniard failed to close down Dean Lewington just moments before Darren Potter's deflected effort in the 21st minute.

Speaking on the BBC at the half-time of the fourth round tie, Shearer said: "It isn't great defending at all and that's being polite.

"I'm sorry but the challenge here or the lack of it, look at the distance Fabregas has got to go to challenge and Lewington has got to go.

"I'm sorry, I don't care who you are but you can't laugh at that, it's pathetic, it really is. You're one-nil up and trying to protect [the lead] here and you've got a 50/50 ball and you pull out of it, there is no excuse for that as a professional footballer.

"I don't care if you're good at tackling, bad at tackling or anything at tackling, you can not pull out.

"You can not do it, that is actually pathetic."