A football fan from Wirral killed his best friend when he punched him in a “silly row” after Liverpool FC lost the Europa League final, a court heard today.  

Barnston man Richard Eveleigh swung a single blow at Paul Lightowler who tragically fell and banged his head.

Mr Lightowler, 60, from Wallasey, was taken to hospital following the argument in Gradwell Street in Liverpool city centre, on May 18 this year, but he died in hospital on May 27.

Eveleigh, 63, of Woodlands Drive in Barnston, today pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Liverpool Crown Court.

His lawyer Michael Goldwater said: “This is a case of what is sometimes called ‘one punch manslaughter’ – a tragic case for all involved with it.

“The defendant and his friend of 45 years standing went to watch a football match together, with various members of their family.

“Liverpool having lost, on the way back a rather silly, in retrospect, row developed, which fizzled on.

“It ended up with the defendant taking a swing at Mr Lightowler, who it appears fell over and suffered fatal injuries.”

He said Eveleigh was a man of good character “with an exceptional family and work record behind him.

“The deceased’s family and the defendant’s family, have always been very close.”

In the match they watched Liverpool lost the Europa League final 3-1 to Sevilla at the St Jakob-Park stadium in Basel, Switzerland.

Sentence was adjourned until October 4 to allow for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.

Judge David Aubrey, QC, described events as a “tragedy for all” but warned that Eveleigh was facing a prison sentence.

He further remanded him on bail.