Liverpool and Spurs fans learn a hard lesson in basic economics | Larry Elliott

Despite all the talk of supporters being gouged over travel costs, this is the way markets work

For supporters of Liverpool, Spurs, Arsenal and Chelsea it has been quite a week. First they had the joy of seeing their teams get through to the finals of Europe's two cup competitions: the only time there has been a clean sweep by English clubs. After the euphoria, though, came a hard lesson in basic economics.

As the final whistle blew at Anfield, following Liverpool's amazing comeback against Barcelona, anyone logging on to airline websites found the price of a ticket to Madrid - where the final of the Champions League will be held - had rocketed to more than 700 on the weekend of the match. When Spurs scored a last-minute winner against Ajax to join Liverpool in the final, prices rose again and not just for direct flights to Madrid but for alternative routes as well.