What does it say about the game of football – or at least the reporting of it – that fans applauding an act of brilliance by a player from the opposition is always made into such a big deal?

We can all cite specific examples of when it has happened, because they were all made into such big events. Old Trafford rising as one to applaud (Brazilian) Ronaldo after his hat-trick knocked them out of the Champions League in 2003; Lionel Messi being afforded a standing ovation by Real Madrid fans after he tore them apart at the Bernabeu in 2009; Chelsea fans giving arch-nemesis Steven Gerrard a respectful send-off after the Liverpool captain scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw his final appearance at...