It was a high octane end to Manchester United's clash with Chelsea on Sunday, with Ross Barkley's last minute equaliser causing an almighty ruckus on the touchline.
In celebrating Barkley's leveller Chelsea assistant Marco Ianni appeared to goad the United bench causing manager Jose Mourinho to chase after Ianni, causing a scene that was only a few dirty slaps shy of a schemozzle.
? Scenes at Stamford Bridge! ?
Jose Mourinho says he has accepted an apology from @ChelseaFC assistant coach Marco Ianni, who sparked chaos in the dugout following Ross Barkley's last-minute equaliser! ?
? https://t.co/kP8eN2ANKB pic.twitter.com/DUcdl5fa5a
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) October 20, 2018
It looked like the whole affair would leave a bad taste in the mouth after a thoroughly entertaining 90 minutes of football, but the situation was dealt with logically by all parties, with Ianni apologising to Mourinho after the match as revealed by Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri in his post match interview:
I didn’t see anything on the pitch but after the match I spoke with José and immediately understood that we are wrong. I have spoken with the member of my staff and then I bring him to speak with Mourinho to say sorry to him. I think it is finished. We made a mistake. We were in the wrong.
Despite the conflict being resolved, one man who feels there should be further punishment is former United footballer Phil Neville.
Appearing on NBC Sports, the current England women's coach came down hard on Ianni for his over exuberant celebrations:
Whoever that staff member is has just been an absolute disgrace. No class, no humility.
He has gone straight into the face of Jose Mourinho, Michael Carrick and the Manchester United bench and just celebrated in their face. Absolutely disgraceful
He [Mourinho] is innocent in all this. The guy on the Chelsea bench has run straight past him, celebrated in his face.
Sarri celebrates. Then it is this guy who goes in front of Jose Mourinho. The first one he clenches his fist and then as he goes back he celebrates again right in front of him. Disgraceful.
Neville went on to say that if he was Maurizio Sarri he would sack Ianni from the club, which seems like a massive over reaction given that the current United manager once poked an opposition coach in the eye and kept his job.
