I don’t think you could ask for much more from two teams on Tuesday, as Chelsea and Liverpool slugged it out like granite-chinned pugilists during their epic Champions League encounter.
Whether you were a Chelsea fan, a Liverpool fan or an enthralled neutral, it is clear that the game at Stamford Bridge was a stunning advert for football and yet another glowing recommendation for The Premier League.
Yes the defending left a little to be desired at times, the goalkeeping equally suspect, but few can argue that they did not get value for money.
It was cagey for 20 minutes, but it exploded into life following Fabio Aurelio’s goal and it could have gone either way in the second half.
Chelsea picked themselves up and dusted themselves down like the top class side they are, but still Liverpool, without their best player and driving force in Steven Gerrard, refused to give ground.
Chelsea seemed home and hosed when Frank Lampard grabbed his first goal but Liverpool somehow dug in and it looked for a minute as if they would win through when Lucas and Dirk Kuyt scored - only for Lampard to have the final say.
Uefa have tried all sorts of initiatives to spice up the game but this contest demonstrated there is nothing quite like knockout football when the two sides are intent on victory.