Barton booed but City smash the Toon

Manchester City 3 Newcastle 0

Barton’s shock transfer request and attack on City staff with agendas against him brought predictable “greedy” taunts from his own fans and there were still plenty of boos when he left the field 13 minutes from time.

But after an eventful evening which saw him arrive by a service entrance, set up Albert Riera’s opener, earn a yellow card and also accidentally barge into referee Chris Foy, there were even louder cheers as he departed, which is more than can be said for Souness.