Barton, Nolan pay Hughton tribute

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton spoke in glowing terms of former boss Chris Hughton after his side were 3-1 winners over Liverpool on Saturday.

Hughton was surprisingly relieved of his duties at Newcastle United on Monday despite the side sitting in 11th on the English Premier League table, just months after promotion from the Championship.

But one of Hughton’s lasting legacies at St. James Park will be a rejuvenated Barton, who credits the former boss for helping him turn his career around.

Barton’s career has been marred by controversy and poor discipline, but it is believed that Hughton was instrumental in turning the temperamental midfielder’s life around.

He showed faith in Barton when many in the football world had lost it and he repaid him in style, impressing in the early part of this campaign.

After a man-of-the-match performance in Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Liverpool that was headlined by a 25-yard wonder-strike from England striker Andy Carroll, Barton spoke of his disappointment that Hughton was sacked.

“We were all disappointed to lose Chris,” Barton told ESPN.

“He was a great man and everyone has said how dignified he was and how much of a gentleman he was.”

“He’s one of the nice guys of football and it’s a shame. It’s a cruel game. The king is dead; long live the king.”

Newcastle captain Kevin Nolan also joined the tributes to Hughton, saying the playing group were ‘let down’ by the shock decision.

”We were disappointed with what happened, no secret,” Nolan said.

“But we’ve got a great dressing room and talk of a revolt never entered our mind.”

”We care about this club and we felt let down. But at the end of the day, they make decisions and we’ve got to stand by them.”

Newcastle’s win lifted them into eighth position on the Premier League table.