Taylor appeared to foul Cristiano Ronaldo in the first-half before following up with another firm challenge on Michael Carrick.

Referee Steve Bennett did book the England Under-21 captain but confirmed to the FA this morning the yellow card was for the second challenge.

The Kent official has reviewed the incident again and while he did tell Soho Square chiefs he would have booked Taylor for the foul on Ronaldo, which would have therefore amounted to a red card, under FIFA regulations, the FA are powerless to change punishments that would involve two yellow cards rather than a single red.

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It means Taylor is now clear to face Hull at the KC Stadium on March 14.

Sir Alex Ferguson is unlikely to be too impressed as he felt certain after the game Taylor would be facing some kind of suspension.

"I don't think he is out of trouble," the United boss told MUTV.

"Something will be done there because it was two offences."

Ferguson's observation was accurate but because Bennett views both as cautionable crimes and missed the first one when it happened, Taylor will not face an FA disciplinary hearing.

The news will no doubt come as a relief to Newcastle, who have been dragged back into the thick of the relegation fight, with a number of tough games - including home matches against Arsenal and Chelsea - still to come.

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In addition, the FA have decided not to investigate further the claims of a tunnel row between Taylor and Wayne Rooney.

A rather colourful exchange, involving sarcastic comments from both parties, is said to have taken place at the interval.

However, the FA have decided any verbal altercation that did take place was of a minor nature and warrants no further action.