Is this the return of football hooliganism?

Everton secured their Premier League safety last night, coming back from two goals down to bag a 3-2 victory against Crystal Palace. It was all too much for some of their fans who, having endured seven nail-shreddingly tense minutes of extra time, swarmed onto the pitch at the final whistle. There was at least one unpleasant consequence of the pitch invasion as an Everton fan taunted Crystal Palace manager Patrick Viera, who responded with a kick.

This isn’t just a one-off, however. People are seriously starting to ask: are we seeing the return of football hooliganism? Thursday’s League Two play-off match also saw fans on the pitch at its end with punches allegedly thrown at Swindon players. In the Championship play-off, a Sheffield Wednesday player was headbutted by a pitch invader. Earlier this month Liverpool fans booed the national anthem and the appearance of Prince William ahead of the FA Cup Final. And Rangers and Eintracht Frankfurt supporters clashed in Seville before the Europa League final.