I see said the blind man

In other words that's four games for reacting to being set on by Monkeyman, and other four for head butting someone that, by some accounts, you didn't actually touch. Aguero, no argument there.

Or was it twelve games because you're Joey Barton and, ...well, we don't like you?

Don't get me wrong, he put our PL survival at risk and I blow hot and cold on him every five minutes but the system is at fault here too. The rules say Tevez can't be punished retrospectively so the culprit escapes justice. Joey's initial retaliation is understandable in the wider context of events but you can't overturn the ban without rescinding the card and, given the ref witnessed Barton's actions, the rules say he cannot rescind the red. I've also read reports that say he didn't make contact with Kompany so in that case how can you dish out four games for almost hitting someone. Take that as a precedent and every on-pitch handbags moment between teams must inevitably result in half a dozen reds. I imagine Joey'll be feeling a little hard done by on this one and it's hard not to feel some sympathy.