Colorful midfielder Joey Barton was handed the captain's armband by QPR manager Neil Warnock on his debut against his former club Newcastle United here Monday but was unable to deliver victory in a 0-0 draw. The 29-year-old Englishman – capped once for his country – signed for QPR on a free transfer last month after falling out with the Newcastle management and board. However, while he along with gifted Moroccan Adel Taraabt produced sparkling performances in a match that the hosts largely dominated they were unable to find the finishing touch to give them the three points but it at least ended a run of three home defeats. The draw also allowed Newcastle to maintain its unbeaten start to the season – it sees it go to fourth in the table – which is its best since the 1995-96 season when it ended up finishing second. Malaga blanks Granada Santi Cazorla and Joaquin Sanchez each scored twice to give Malaga a 4-0 win over Granada Monday for its first victory in the Spanish league after its offseason spending spree. Malaga cashed in on its €60-million ($85-million) summer overhaul as it completely outclassed the newly-promoted Granada at La Rosaleda stadium. Cazorla led the way throughout, looking eager to prove he is worth the almost €20 million ($27 million) Malaga paid for him this summer. The former Villarreal playmaker was quick to take advantage of the passive Granada defense in the fourth minute when he rifled a low left footer inside the near post from the edge of the area. Granada, playing just its second topflight game in 35 years, left Joaquin unmarked in the 25th to head in Jesus Gamez's well-placed cross. Three minutes into the second half, Cazorla anticipated the defense's attempt to block his free kick by slotting it under the wall for Malaga's third goal. The Spain midfielder then found fellow new signing Joaquin alone in the area to finish off a counterattack in the 72nd and cap Malaga's win its opening home game. “It is important that our fans had a good time after all the rising expectations from the summer,” said coach Manuel Pellegrini, whose Malaga side showed no signs of its lackluster week one performance in a 2
