Barton Won Battle With Milner!
Last updated : 16 December 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor
As far as Newcastle are concerned, the joy at the decision had Toon players fighting over who should take it!
Scorer Joey Barton admitted that he had to win the battle to take the spot-kick with team-mate James Milner, before netting his side's injury-time winner.
Regular penalty-taker Obafemi Martins had already been substituted, so Barton took the ball from Milner before netting a confident spot-kick past Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi.
Referee Howard Webb had awarded the kick after Alan Smith had been fouled by Elliot Omozusi.
Barton: "James Milner was on it. He wanted to take it but I said to him I wanted it and I was confident I would score.
"I'm glad I did that, I just wanted to get it in and I really, really fancied it.
"It was ugly but a 'W' is 'W'.
"We kept a clean sheet and that's testament to Claudio (Cacapa) and (David) Rozehnal.
"We're all here together and everyone loves playing together. The team spirit has never been questioned, not for a moment."