The DA

Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton has heaped praise on ‘new man’ Joey Barton after the midfielder refrained from pouring lighter fluid on a grounded Steven Taylor and even avoided urinating on the players wounded face. Hughton said it showed ‘great professionalism and maturity’, firmly believing Barton’s rebel days are behind him.

‘We took his muzzle off for the first time yesterday, and he only bit me once, after I took the last Chicken salad sandwich from the canteen. Andy Carroll even asked him if he could have his pudding and the lad just sat and took it. No crowbars to the head, no nothing.’

The former Manchester City trainee Barton was apparently busy stealing designer shirts from the players dressing room when a bust up between United captain Steven Taylor and Andy Carroll ensued, something Hughton was very proud of. ‘I believe we’ve helped shape Joey into a respectable human being. He’s now really into flogging stolen goods for profit and has even asked me if I know anything about spreadsheets. He could be a entrepreneur yet!’

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