Barton aims series of jibes at Sunderland after feisty encounter

Joey Barton aimed a series of jibes at Sunderland after Max Power scored a 97th minute equaliser to prevent his side drawing level with the Black Cats in the table.

Barton thought his side had got over the line after Barrie McKay’s early goal had given them the lead in a crucial match in the push for automatic promotion.

The Fleetwood boss and formerNewcastleUnitedmidfieldersaidhewas‘proud’ofhis team, but criticised the referee for the amount of stoppage time played and Sunderland for ‘drenching’ the Stadium of Light turf before kick-off.

“I thought we were there,” he said. “Six minutes stoppage time usually means six minutes stoppage time, but not today. We’re disappointed, but we dust ourselves down and go again.

“You have to give Sunderland

credit, they kept fighting and pushing.

“The fanbase drive them on, and they got their rewards. They’re trying as hard as we are to win a football match, and sometimes it doesn’t go yourway,butit’sinterestingfor metoseeSunderlandfanscelebrating in the manner they did afterdrawingathometoFleetwood Town.”

The referee had initially awarded six minutes of stoppagetimeafteratruncatedsecond half.

Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson had praised referee Scott Oldham for playing on in his post-match press conference. “You always wonder whether the referee is going to be fair with the time he adds on,”hesaid.“Therewasatleast six minutes. I asked for ten, I'd have settled for eight.

“They were going mad when he gave six but I was a bit disappointed.

“Joking aside, if a team comesanddoesthat,you'vegot tomakesurethattimeisadded on at the time.”

"Sunderland paid more for Will Grigg than our entire budget," he said.

"I love coming to caludrons of football, and this is certainly acauldronoffootball,butit'sso sad to see them playing at the level they're playing.

"I'm a mad Newcastle supporter and loved my time on Tyneside, but I loved coming here in the derbies. They were great occasions, mainly becausemostofthetimewewon.

"I'm made up to come here 18 months into management andtestmyself.I'mfourgames unbeatennowagainstSunderlandandI'mdelightedforthat, but they shouldn't be in this division.

“This club should not be in this division.”