Any worries that Gary Neville might have an uneventful return to Sky Sports were well wide of the mark.
The former Manchester United captain returned to commentary duties after his spells as Valencia manager and England assistant came to an end, and he was treated to a seven-goal extravaganza as Arsenal hosted Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium.
When Calum Chambers scored Arsenal’s third, bringing them within one goal of their opponents, Martin Tyler offered up a sarcastic ‘welcome back to the Premier League’ for his co-commentator.
Quick as a flash, Neville pointed out that he had seen a fair few goals go in during his time in Spain – most of them in his own team’s net.
https://twitter.com/hynzieh/status/764863813724278785
Neville lasted less than a year at Valencia, with a 7-0 defeat at Barcelona in the Copa del Rey one of the lowlights for the Bury native.
But few will be able to criticise his quick wit in the commentary booth – or indeed the Sky Sports studio. He was still able to criticise Alberto Moreno too, mind you.
Gary Neville: "You might as well start the game a goal down with Moreno at left back." https://t.co/COstuTE4bp
— 🎯 Tommy's Darts Tips (@TommysDartsTips) August 14, 2016
Many fans will hope he can bring similar wisecracks to Monday Night Football, where he will be reunited with partner-in-crime Jamie Carragher.
But for now, they just enjoyed his self-deprecating humour – something they had missed at times while he was attempting to cut his managerial teeth in Spain.
Gary neville cracking jokes about his time at Valencia 😅🙃
— D (@donte_glasgow) August 14, 2016
What did Gary Neville just whisper about Valencia? Lool say it with ur chest Gareth
— 🌚 (@veranda_mal) August 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/speedyred711/status/764861586695655426
On a brighter note, good to hear Gary Neville back. Better pundit than manager? #Debate
— Michael Eates (@michael_eates) August 14, 2016
