.
The idea of not just beating the other lot but absolutely rubbing their noses in it.
Watch a top Premier League match as a neutral and, while you might admire world-class talent or wonderful goals, what really seizes your attention is s**thousing, showboating, hatred, ridicule and utter disrespect.
Sunday at the Emirates — Gabriel v Erling Haaland, Myles Lewis-Skelly v Haaland, everyone v Haaland — was a throwback to Keane-Vieira and Fergie-Wenger.
The peak of the United-Arsenal enmity. Arsenal versus Manchester City, satisfying the bloodlust of the masses in peacetime.
The dislike was clear and obvious, Arsenal’s desire for revenge — after an explosive end to their 2-2 draw at the Etihad in September — was palpable.
Sure, it was mainly playground stuff — Gabriel screaming in Haaland’s face after Arsenal’s opener, Lewis-Skelly copying the Norwegian’s goal celebration, everyone calling Haaland a “c*”.
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Gabriel went early against Haaland and might have ended up looking foolish.
And there may be future recriminations for Lewis-Skelly — an inexperienced rookie refusing to “stay humble” and giving it to an established great.
But one thing is for certain, the viewers lapped it up.
For several years now, the English top-flight has become too nicey-nicey. Even high-stakes title showdowns have come with too much tiresome mutual respect.
There is a time and place for mutual respect — and that is post-retirement.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger gush about each other in their pipe and slippers and it is heart-warming.
And Gabriel Clarke’s “Keane & Vieira: Best of Enemies” was one of the finest TV sporting documentaries, as two great warhorses relived the Premier League’s most engrossing on-field rivalry with a grudging sense of affection after both had hung up their knuckle-dusters.
But mutual respect in the here and now is …
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