Manchester City 0 Liverpool 1: As the Manchester City fans left the scene of this wretched match, there were few who could muster a flicker of satisfaction at what they had just witnessed, and one in particular was afflicted by a sense of melancholy.
Mike Summerbee had come to pay his respects to George Best, his dear friend and one-time flatmate, but for this esteemed old City favourite it was an afternoon that left him questioning the values of the modern-day football fan, and specifically those from Merseyside.
"I've always respected Liverpool's supporters but not on this occasion. I would imagine they were an embarrassment to the directors of Liverpool Football Club," Summerbee volunteered on Saturday evening, dissecting those excruciating moments when the minute's silence in memory of Best was aborted with 40 seconds to go.
"There has always been friction between Liverpool and Manchester United but I never thought this would happen, that some small-minded people would stoop so low. It's upsetting - this is supposed to be a sporting world and George deserved better."
The sorrow could be detected in Summerbee's tone and in the disbelieving shake of his head as he left the pitch, having been invited on to the playing surface, along with several other former City luminaries, because of his long association with Best.
"All the noise was from the Liverpool end," he reflected.
"There's rivalry between the two Manchester clubs but if you go to Old Trafford and look at the shrine to George you will see lots of City shirts among the United shirts. Unfortunately there is an unruly element among the Liverpool fans who weren't prepared to respect a man who deserved our respect. George was a genius and this should never have happened."
One school of thought was that the disturbances were created by latecomers entering the stadium, rather than those who were already seated; the theory being that the referee Alan Wiley should have allowed a few more seconds for it to die down.
Summerbee was not convinced. "It's one thing people arriving late, not realising what's going on and innocently making a bit of noise. But everyone in football knew the situation this weekend. A minute's silence was observed at every other ground in the country and everywhere else it went well."
It is unfortunate for Liverpool that their fourth successive victory will be quickly forgotten compared with the bad feeling that was left in its wake.
Even with the latest instalment of Peter Crouch's nightmarish season taken into account, Rafael Benitez could reflect on a methodical and effective display. Liverpool do not just win ugly, they border on the grotesque, but it is now six matches since they conceded a goal, and five of those they have won.
An otherwise satisfying day for Liverpool was spoiled only by the events that had preceded it. Maybe, in hindsight, the Premier League will now regret its decision to forbid City from holding a minute's applause instead of a minute's silence.
Anticipating problems, City had contacted the authorities on Friday suggesting that Summerbee should start the clapping but the idea was blocked, apparently with no reason given.
For this old Maine Road favourite it was a decision that precipitated one of his worst memories from four decades with the club.
Guardian Service
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