Because Gervinho threw himself on the deck after no contact and Barton threw himself on the deck to make the most out of what was already a red card offense?
A distinction without a difference, both play acted in a pathetic attempt to gain an advantage for their side.
It wasn't a particularly nice thing to do by either, but I don't see how anyone can claim that there's no difference between to do.
I'll be honest here, fuck morals, if one of our players got struck during a match and the perpetrator didn't get sent off because our player just stood their like nothing happened, I'd be disappointed.