*MKILETEWA HAPA NA FLORA LYIMO DESIGNER*
Joey Barton was at the centre of ugly scenes yet again as the start of the new Premier League season was marred by stamping, diving and slapping rows.
The fiery Newcastle midfielder was involved in two major incidents and lucky not to be sent off with new Arsenal signing Gervinho during an explosive goalless draw at St James' Park.
First, he reacted furiously after being stamped on while on the ground by Alex Song, who could face FA action based on video evidence after escaping unpunished.
Then, Barton's temper boiled over again when £10.8million Gervinho went down easily in the Newcastle penalty area.
Barton grabbed Gervinho near the throat and dragged him off the floor, sparking a 22-man melee. Arsenal star Jack Wilshere, who did not play, later tweeted: 'That's a form of assault. It shouldn't happen on a pitch.'
Gervinho slapped Barton to earn a red card from referee Peter Walton. Wilshere added: 'Maybe Gervinho should not have reacted like he did, as two wrongs don't make a right, but Barton was unprofessional.'
Those sentiments were echoed by Kevin Keegan, a pundit covering the match for ESPN.
'Barton did not come out of it with any credit. He did not need to get involved. The incident had gone.'
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was also incredulous. 'Why does Joey Barton go over there and grab him him up?' asked the Arsenal boss. 'It is a yellow to the two or a red to the two.'
Barton crashed to the ground theatrically after the open-handed slap and told referee Walton that he had been punched.
Team-mate Steven Taylor also indicated an elbow had been thrown before the official dismissed Gervinho.
'I don't think it gives any credit to the Premier League,' added Wenger. 'Barton has not been hit hard enough to lie down for two minutes.'
Asked whether he thought Gervinho had dived, Wenger replied: 'I don't know - how do you know?
'He says he was touched - you say "no" but he was on the pitch and, sorry, I'll believe him. Will I appeal? I will have a good look at it but I am tempted to say yes.'
The embattled Arsenal boss claimed not to have seen Song's stamp on Barton's calf, which happened in front of the dugouts.
The Newcastle player, still on the transfer list after criticising the club's board on Twitter, hit back on the social networking site last night.
'Cheats dive to win pens. If there's contact go down but dont blatantly try to con the ref. Refs have it hard enough
'Hopefully, today proves my commitment, if it was ever in doubt? 'Imagine if I'd stamped on Song, all the numptys would be out calling for a public execution. Cos its on me its alright? #hypocrites.
'What do people want me to do, stand and trade blows with Gervinho. If you raise your hands to players faces, you should be off. Ref got it right...
'Maybe I shouldn' have got involved but diving and trying to win a penalty, is ****. Needs stamping out (No pun).'
Joey Barton was at the centre of ugly scenes yet again as the start of the new Premier League season was marred by stamping, diving and slapping rows.
The fiery Newcastle midfielder was involved in two major incidents and lucky not to be sent off with new Arsenal signing Gervinho during an explosive goalless draw at St James' Park.
Battle stations: Barton manhandles Gervinho as the game decends into chaos;
First, he reacted furiously after being stamped on while on the ground by Alex Song, who could face FA action based on video evidence after escaping unpunished.
Then, Barton's temper boiled over again when £10.8million Gervinho went down easily in the Newcastle penalty area.
On your feet: Barton grabs hold of Arsenal new boy Gervinho;
Fall guy: Barton goes to ground clutching his head;
SATURDAY FIGHT NIGHT
Jack Wilshere and Joey Barton were embroiled in a Twitter row after Saturday's game. Here's what they said...
JACK WILSHERE: I think @joey7barton was in the wrong today! He should not have got invovled and assaulted Gerviniho like that #justsaying
JOEY BARTON: @JackWilshere hardly assault??
JW: @joey7barton that is a form of assault my friend it should not happen on a football pitch!
JB: @JackWilshere Nah, what about Song? Did u miss that?
JACK WILSHERE: I think @joey7barton was in the wrong today! He should not have got invovled and assaulted Gerviniho like that #justsaying
JOEY BARTON: @JackWilshere hardly assault??
JW: @joey7barton that is a form of assault my friend it should not happen on a football pitch!
JB: @JackWilshere Nah, what about Song? Did u miss that?
Gervinho slapped Barton to earn a red card from referee Peter Walton. Wilshere added: 'Maybe Gervinho should not have reacted like he did, as two wrongs don't make a right, but Barton was unprofessional.'
Those sentiments were echoed by Kevin Keegan, a pundit covering the match for ESPN.
'Barton did not come out of it with any credit. He did not need to get involved. The incident had gone.'
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was also incredulous. 'Why does Joey Barton go over there and grab him him up?' asked the Arsenal boss. 'It is a yellow to the two or a red to the two.'
Angry: Wenger was disappointed Barton escaped with a yellow;
Barton crashed to the ground theatrically after the open-handed slap and told referee Walton that he had been punched.
Team-mate Steven Taylor also indicated an elbow had been thrown before the official dismissed Gervinho.
'I don't think it gives any credit to the Premier League,' added Wenger. 'Barton has not been hit hard enough to lie down for two minutes.'
Out of Toon: Song appeared to stamp on Barton;
Asked whether he thought Gervinho had dived, Wenger replied: 'I don't know - how do you know?
'He says he was touched - you say "no" but he was on the pitch and, sorry, I'll believe him. Will I appeal? I will have a good look at it but I am tempted to say yes.'
The embattled Arsenal boss claimed not to have seen Song's stamp on Barton's calf, which happened in front of the dugouts.
The Newcastle player, still on the transfer list after criticising the club's board on Twitter, hit back on the social networking site last night.
'Cheats dive to win pens. If there's contact go down but dont blatantly try to con the ref. Refs have it hard enough
'Hopefully, today proves my commitment, if it was ever in doubt? 'Imagine if I'd stamped on Song, all the numptys would be out calling for a public execution. Cos its on me its alright? #hypocrites.
'What do people want me to do, stand and trade blows with Gervinho. If you raise your hands to players faces, you should be off. Ref got it right...
'Maybe I shouldn' have got involved but diving and trying to win a penalty, is ****. Needs stamping out (No pun).'
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