Joey Barton's Sunderland verdict and why he thinks Adam Matthews should have seen red
![Joey Barton and Jack Ross exchange words on the touchline](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/legacy_ash_102577111.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
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Joey Barton had tongue firmly in cheek at times after this 1-1 draw, also joking that Newcastle would have secured a 30 thousand attendance had they been in League One.
The Fleetwood Town boss was happy to play the pantomime villain but he also praised Sunderland as a 'good club' and expects them to challenge for the league under Jack Ross.
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Hide Ad![Joey Barton and Jack Ross exchange words on the touchline](https://www.sunderlandecho.com/webimg/legacy_ash_102577111.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Joey Barton and Jack Ross exchange words on the touchline](/img/placeholder.png)
He was adamant, however, that his team were the better side.
He also said that Adam Matthews should have been shown a second yellow
"I said in the build-up that I thought we were the better side and anyone who was here today, just watch it back," he said.
"We had the best chances, a penalty, good save by the keeper but a confusion in the build-up from our perspective.
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Hide Ad"They're a good side, I'm not taking anything away from them. They had 15 minutes before the break and a ten minute spell at the end where our keeper has had to make a good save, we've had to put bodies on the line.
"It was a really good game, played in the right spirit.
"The ref was good, although he should have sent their lad off when he gave away a penalty, he was on a yellow. Techincally it should have been off.
"But look it was a good game, good atmosphere," he added.
"It was a fantastic occasion, it's a good football club. I've enjoyed a healthy rivalry with them over the years, it's sad to seem them in the state they've been in but Jack Ross has done a fantastic job so far.
"The club seems to be moving in the right direction.
"But I thought we were the better side, Sunderland fans will never admit it because of my connections, but they'll go home knowing we're a proper side.
"And they have a proper side too, I've said to the lads, this could be a six-pointer come May."
Jack Ross responded by saying that both sides had good chances to win the game.