The 27-year-old smashed home a stunning 12th-minute opener and put his finger to his now infamous moustache as he received the crowd's acclaim with his arm aloft.

Barton's response sparked a flurry of internet activity, but he insisted after the game that he was confirming that the moustache, which he has vowed not to shave off until the Magpies had claimed their first Barclays Premier League win of the season, was on the way out.

He said: "I was simply saying 'the moustache is going'."

Manager Chris Hughton confirmed after the game that he understood the facial hair in question had already been removed.

He said: "I am under the impression it has gone already. I didn't see him do it, but I have heard it's gone."