A passenger was subjected to a 'disgraceful' attack on a train after leaving a concert at the Manchester Arena, a court heard.
Alex Foy and Marc Kelley, both 29, were involved in the incident after the Liverpool bound train left Victoria Station.
The victim was punched several times and was left unconscious for a time, Manchester Crown Court heard.
He suffered a black eye and bruising.
He and his partner had been to a concert at the venue on December 16, 2017, and made their way to the train at about 11pm.
Foy and Kelley were also on the train.
They spoke with each other and at first the conversation was 'lighthearted'.
But the mood changed and Foy and Kelley, both from Liverpool, became 'angry and aggressive', prosecutors said.
Shortly after, Foy punched the man to the face.
He was punched on more occasions as fell to the floor, the court heard.
Prosecuting, Mark Monaghan said the victim was unconscious for a short period after being attacked.
His partner tried to pull them off him, and Foy and Kelley left the train.
They were later identified through CCTV footage.
The victim suffered a black eye, swelling to his nose, and bruising to his arm.
Foy later told police he was acting in 'self defence', while Kelley made no comment.
The pair pleaded guilty to common assault.
The judge said that had they not pleaded guilty, they could have faced jail.
Judge Alan Conrad QC told them: "The incident in which you were involved, over three years ago, was disgraceful, involving violence towards a man who had done no wrong, on public transport at night.
"Had this been dealt with nearer the time, and had you been convicted after a trial, you would have both been going to prison."
Both men were sentenced to an 18 month community order.
The judge said he had received 'favourable' pre-sentence reports, and said that both men had been in employment.
Foy, of Aigburth Road, Liverpool, and Kelley, of Fullwood Drive, Liverpool, must each complete 120 hours of unpaid work.
