Barton received a hostile reception both on and off the pitch as
he played his first game since being released from prison earlier
in the summer.
While sections of the crowd jeered and taunted the former
Manchester City midfielder, the treatment dealt out to him from his
opposition was little better.
The 25-year-old was, somewhat ironically, on the receiving end of a
cynical challenge after being brought on as a substitute, as an
annoyed Nasri vented his frustration at loosing the ball shortly
beforehand.
Keegan is livid that the French youngster was not sent off and is
certain the referee would not have been so kind had Barton been the
aggressor.
“I saw Nasri slice down Joey and that’s what I was so upset about,”
he told News of the World following his side's 3-0
loss.
“If it had been the other way round I’m sure Joey would have been
sent off.
“Joey came on and got a very good tackle in on Nasri. Then he
tripped Joey when he was running back.”
Interestingly, Nasri was one of a crop of highly talented
playmakers the Magpies attempted (and failed) to sign during the
summer.
The 21-year-old made his way to Ashburton Grove from Olympique
Marseille in July and appears to have settled nicely into his role
on the flank for Arsene Wenger's side.
Keegan admitted the French international's challenge on Barton was
uncharacteristic, insisting he is "too good" to resort to such
thuggery.
“I like Nasri and we talked about bringing him to Newcastle, but he
can’t do that,” the Toon boss continued.
“The referee didn’t see it but the linesman did. Under the rules
it’s a red card.
“I spoke to Nasri at the end and told him I thought it was wrong —
he is too good a player to do that.
“He said something back to me but French is one of the many
languages I don’t speak.”