Barton dedicates goal to ´people I have let down´

Controversial Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has dedicated his first goal here at St James' Park to “all our fans and the people I have let down.”

Barton netted United's opener from the penalty spot as they beat West Brom 2-1 for only their second league win of the season in what was his first start since completing a six-game ban imposed by the FA.

The ban came after the 74 days he served in prison for assault on a 16-year-old boy, and also a training ground attack on former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo which earned him a suspended sentence.

The 26-year-old hopes his performances on the pitch will eventually justify his 5.8 million-pounds transfer fee. However, he knows the road back to public acceptance will not be a smooth one.

Last weekend the midfielder, who was only on the pitch for the final few minutes of the north-east derby defeat away to Sunderland, was pelted with coins and bottles as he warmed-up on the touchline.

His response was to kiss the badge on his Newcastle shirt, a move that many saw as inflammatory and a contributory factor to the violence which broke out after the final whistle between rival fans at the Stadium of Light.

But after scoring a goal that helped take Newcastle out of the bottom three, Barton was understandably keen to focus on football.

“That was for all our fans and all the people I have let down. My only wish now that it is the first of many. Once the referee pointed to the spot, I really fancied it – although I know a lot of the other players did as well.

“It was never an issue. I am always one to step up to the plate. One thing that can never be levelled at me is that I have lacked courage.

“Through my own stupidity, I have had to come back from things, and that has shaped me for what I have got to do.”