Gary Neville shares peak 'grumpy old man' view of Brighton and Everton players laughing together

Gary Neville was left annoyed by Everton and Brighton players sharing a laugh in the tunnel, ahead of their Premier League game on Monday.

No one knows more about what can go on in the tunnel before a big game than Neville really, as he kicked off arguably the most infamous incident in the Premier League's history.

Back in 2005, when Manchester United and Arsenal were still locked in as heated a rivalry as the league has seen, the Sky Sports pundit was involved in argument with Gunners' captain Patrick Vieira.

That sparked Roy Keane into life, to defend his teammate, as the two combative midfielders exchanged words in a shouting match, with the referee having to split them up.

On Monday night, Brighton hosted Everton, in a game perhaps not so monumentally linked to the entire fabric of the Premier League but nonetheless important to both sides.

The home team hoping to make it into Europe next season, boosted by last week's win over United, and the visitors hoping to earn points to keep themselves in England's top tier.

Though it was an extremely important game for both sides, the players from both clubs seemed relaxed ahead of kick off and shared a laugh in the tunnel, nothing like the scenes in Highbury 18 years ago.

That certainly didn't go down well with Neville, who was wistful for a time when the men in the tunnel hated each other.

Laughing before a game should obviously be banned and only stoic staring forward, a respectful handshake or nearly causing a brawl should be allowed, of course.

However, not everyone agreed with that sentiment, or the one shared by the former England international. "Relax, Gary. It's just a game with a bunch of grown adults in small shorts and long socks kicking a ball in a certain direction," said one fan, risking the ire of many angry men.

"I always preferred the throwing Pizza approach to be honest," joked an Arsenal fan about another infamous incident between their two clubs.

Another mentioned Neville's former captain at Old Trafford, claiming, "You were just scared of Roy Keane seeing you do it."

"Games moved on," a fourth simply stated.

"Don't think facial expressions impact games Gary," argued a fifth.

And mocking the 48-year-old's comments after United lost to West Ham United on Sunday, another replied, "You have to ask yourself. Would they be laughing if it wasn’t for the Glazers? I think not."

In fairness to the Sky pundit, some fans did agree with him, "Not back in the day when football was football. Today it’s all about smiling, laughing and hugging. Soft generation," yelled a fellow old man at a cloud.

Honestly to god 'when football was football,' you have to laugh!

"Yeah it’s not right. Get your head in the game, man," commented another.

The laughing certainly didn't affect Everton, with the Toffees opening the scoring in the first minute, and going on to score five times, in a much needed, and hugely surprising, battering of Brighton.