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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
John Brewin

Spurs v Chelsea: this was football as it used to be and still ought to be

Tottenham v Chelsea
Chaos rising, earlier. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

LADS, IT’S FOOTBALL HERITAGE

Saturday night was a big night in for football hipsters. The Copa Libertadores final had it all, with Brazil’s Fluminense beating Boca 2-1 in extra-time at the Maracanã. The winning goalscorer, John Kennedy, presumably named after the late president rather than the much-admired Celtic assistant manager, was sent off for his celebration. After a match that paired thuggery with magic, drama with violence, this was football as it used to be and still ought to be, it was generally agreed among those with a craft beer subscription and Olympique de Marseille Panasonic-era replica shirts. Hold my Madrí said the Premier League, however, for Monday Night Football threw up the type of encounter football hacks dearly love to give the prefix “The Battle Of”.

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