Barton dedicates goal to Toon

JOEY BARTON wasted little time in dedicating his first goal at St James’ Park to all the people he has let down.

The 26-year-old Newcastle midfielder, pilloried by the nation and pelted with missiles on his return to action at Sunderland at the weekend, has been left in little doubt as to the task he faces as he attempts to rehabilitate himself both on and off the pitch.

That he knows he deserves much of what has already come and will come his way in the future does not make the task any easier.