Pardew dismisses striker Ba’s bleating

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew last night insisted there is no rift between himself and striker Demba Ba.

The Senegal international admitted his displeasure at only being named among the substitutes for Monday night’s 2-2 Premier League draw at Everton having responded in fine style by coming off the bench to score both his side’s goals.

His agent, Alex Gontran, caused consternation on Tyneside when he suggested yesterday that Ba might have to consider his options if he found himself sitting on the bench too often in the future.