QPR's Joey Barton argues with Manchester City's Sergio Aguero before being sent off during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.

The QPR midfielder reacted angrily to his red card at Manchester City

QPR's Joey Barton clashes with Manchester City's Vincent Kompany before being sent off during the Barclays Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester.

QPR midfielder Joey Barton issued an extraordinary reason for his reaction after being sent off against Manchester City, claiming one of his team-mates urged him to take a City player with him.

The Rangers captain was shown the red card after elbowing Carlos Tevez and clashed with Sergio Aguero and had to be dragged off the pitch.

He tweeted: “The head was never gone at any stage, once I’d been sent off, one of our players suggested I should try to take 1 of theirs with me...”

The midfielder also claimed he did not deserve the red card.

“Can do nothing but apologise to the players and the fans. Still don’t think its a sending off. Tried to take 1 of their players with me....,” he posted on Twitter.

“Still not my proudest moment but who gives a ****, we are safe..........and that is all that matters.

“Think a few people are forgetting Tevez started the fracas by throwing a punch to the head...?”

Barton will face a minimum four game ban for his second red card of the season but it is almost certain that the FA will investigate his actions.