Chelsea fan Luke Fitzpatrick, 25, was dragged out into the street and murdered by the hooded youths, who were armed with knives and baseball bats.
His father Bernard, 56, was stabbed several times as he threw himself on top of his son in a desperate attempt to protect him, the Evening Standard reported.
He remains in a critical condition in hospital following the attack on Saturday night, which happened just yards from Mr Fitzpatrick’s home in Dollis Hill, north London.
Witnesses described the gang as acting like “a pack of wolves” as they stormed the Ox and Gate pub on Oxgate Lane.
Aunt Tess Fitzpatrick, Bernard’s sister, told the Evening Standard: “The men who came for Luke were like a pack of wolves.
“My brother ran after them as they were dragging Luke up the street. He covered him with his body, but they had already stabbed Luke all over.”
Ms Fitzpatrick added that Bernard had been stabbed four times and suffered massive internal injuries after one stab wound punctured his liver.
Police believed the murder followed an argument in the pub although witnesses believe it was related to a dispute in a shop across the road.
Best friend Ricci Whiteside, 25, who was with Luke all evening, reportedly said: “There was an argument in the shop opposite the pub at half-time.
“Luke wasn’t anything to do with it, but we all heard that something had gone on.”
Flowers and cards have been left at a crossroads outside the pub with tributes to the tragic roofer.
One card read: “Luke, you was a true gent. I’ll never forget you.”
Metropolitan Police confirmed that three people were arrested following the incident, including two 17-year-old boys who were being questioned in custody today.
Detective Chief Inspector Tim Duffield said: “We urgently need to hear from anyone who was in or near the Ox and Gate pub around 11.30pm that evening.”
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