Joey Barton admits diving against Arsenal

Joey Barton has admitted that he fell to the ground too easily in the Premier League 0-0 draw with Arsenal at the weekend. The Newcastle midfielder was booked whilst Gervinho had been sent off.

Gervinho looked to raise his hand to Joey Barton's face; contact was minimal but the Newcastle midfielder made the most of it and Gervinho was then sent off.

Barton said on Twitter: "I went down easy, no doubt. Still, can't raise your hands. Referee got it right.

"If you raise your hands to faces, you should be off. What do people want me to do, stand and trade blows?"