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ALAN PARDEW has hit out at Stoke City striker Ricardo Fuller after his cowardly off the ball swipe at Joey Barton at the Britannia Stadium.

The Scouser – as expected – endured his usual rough ride from the home fans in the Potteries and barely flinched despite the intense provocation being hurled in his direction when trying to take corners and set-plays.

Barton also suffered similar treatment from Stoke players to that of the away trip to Wolves back in August when Karl Henry carried out a series of brutal fouls.

At Stoke, Matthew Etherington only escaped with a yellow card for a cynical foul on the ex-Man City man but it was Fuller’s sneaky attack behind referee Lee Mason’s back that incensed Barton after being booted in the air by the former Southampton man.

The Chronicle understands that the FA are unlikely to look at video evidence in the same manner that earned Barton a three-game ban earlier in the season for a clash with Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Pardew told the Chronicle: “Joey becomes a target for home fans on away days for us – and everybody else in the game.

“He handles it particularly well. I thought he played very well.”

Mason had his back to the incident at the end of the second half but the foul would surely have earned a red card if he’d have spotted it.

To add insult to injury, Fuller put the lid on the game with a goal just moments later.

Pardew said: “I saw it.

“It was clear.

“Fuller just kicked him – it was obvious.

“All Joey then did was try to ask Fuller what he was doing.”

Toon fans were just happy to see Barton back on the pitch after a two-game absence with a thigh injury.

The midfielder tried hard to make United kick and almost scored with a free-kick in the second period.

But while the defeat at Stoke was disappointing for the 2,750 United supporters, they will at least be happy to learn that Barton came through the game unscathed and will be fit to play against the same Wolves team who targeted him do brutally in August.