WONDERS never cease. Not only did agitator-in-chief Joey Barton manage to last 90 minutes without the merest hint of aggravation against his former club, but Newcastle United, so utterly devoid of threat at Loftus Road, ended the evening nestled in a Champions League position.

As the season winds into the winter months, it is difficult to envisage either of those statements ringing true for long.

Barton remains a quality performer despite his underwhelming Hoops debut while United, poor for long spells here, remain very much a work in progress.

Alan Pardew was left reflecting on another superior defensive effort against Neil Warnock’s pumped up side, but Newcastle will need to improve drastically as an attacking force if they are to avoid coming a cropper at some point.

They lived on their nerves for long periods in West London, grateful for Jay Bothroyd’s shocking lack of composure in their penalty area and the kind of dogged determination which has become Newcastle’s trademark under Pardew.

They have at least got that awkward first meeting with a final flame over with, too.

Barton ended the match bare-chested and serenaded by the visiting support, their appreciation no doubt enhanced by a performance curiously lacking in conviction.

In truth he was virtually anonymous – his biggest statement coming before the game as he bear-hugged almost every one of his former team-mates during the pre-match formalities.

It was body language that betrayed his obvious affection for his former club, and there was not much in his contribution here to salve suspicions that he’d rather have remained at St James’ Park past the transfer window.

Instead he sniffed the money and ambition of new QPR owner Tony Fernandes, a combination which made this a much more difficult engagement than it would have been a month ago.