There is nothing more exciting than a local derby when it comes to football. After a two-week break, the Premier League resumes play this weekend. The North London Derby (between Arsenal and Tottenham) and the Manchester Derby are two of the biggest and most historic derbies in Premier League history, and they’re both on the schedule (Manchester City vs Manchester Utd).
When two teams have a long history of rivalry, it can cause strife between neighbors and even relatives. And beating your neighborhood competition can give you bragging rights for months, if not years.
We’re getting the adrenaline pumping early by revisiting some of football’s most intense rivalries and unforgettable matchups. If you want to learn more about UK football, check out LordPing.co.uk.
The Derby in North London
When it comes to the history of rivalries in English football, the North London Derby is one of the few that can match it. The first true “North London Derby” took place in 1913, when Arsenal moved their stadium to Highbury Stadium, which was located only four miles away from Tottenham’s White Hart Lane. This foray into Tottenham’s territory served as the catalyst for the development of a tremendous rivalry in football.
The North London Derby is well-known for the incredible goals that are scored in it as well as the shocking defensive efforts that are made. In the classic derby that took place in 2008, the first goal of the game was a screamer scored by David Bentley. There was plenty of late drama, including an equalizer scored in the 95th minute. A derby already possesses everything that you could possibly need.
The two clubs have spent the past few seasons trading places in the Champions League, and the stakes have never been higher given the level of competition between them. With only one point separating the two North London teams, and both looking to keep up their challenge for a top-four finish, Saturday’s game will be crucial for both sides.
The Big Dogs
The biggest reason for the animosity between two football teams is the divide that exists within their respective fan bases. There is no clearer example of this than the fierce rivalry that has existed for decades between Celtic and Rangers, two Scottish football teams that both call Glasgow their home. The history of the clubs is intertwined with the religious, political, and social tensions that have persisted for a very long time in the region. The intense rivalries erupt both on and off the field, resulting in ferocious football and dramatic outcomes.
Even though Old Firm football hasn’t always lived up to the standards set by the Premier League, the fans’ level of commitment is unmatched. As Paolo Di Canio put it, even if you combined all of the derby games played around the world, the total wouldn’t add up to one millionth of the number of games played in the Old Firm.
It is difficult to believe that more than twenty years have passed since the historic victory of Celtic over Rangers in the “demolition derby.” Celtic won by a score of 6-2. You won’t be able to believe it until you consider some of the questions you’ve asked before.
The Mancunian Rivalry
The Manchester Derby has been fierce ever since the first game between Manchester City and Manchester United in 1881, but in the last decade, thanks to Man City’s recent success, the rivalry has reached new heights. Even more so, City’s rise to prominence has coincided with United’s decline.
Sir Alex Ferguson, manager of Manchester United during the team’s heyday (during which they won 38 trophies, including 13 Premier Leagues), famously referred to rivals Manchester City as “noisy neighbors.”
However, City is right on United’s heels, having won five Premier League titles in the last decade.
Regardless of which team you support, the 2009 Manchester Derby at Old Trafford was an unforgettable game for fans of both clubs.
City traveled to Old Trafford looking to make a statement about their title hopes after spending over £100 million on players like Emmanuel Adebayor and Carlos Tevez during the transfer window. The game was tied 3-3 when Michael Owen scored the game-winning goal for Manchester United in the 96th minute of Fergie time (extra time).
Some of the most iconic moments in Premier League history have occurred in the Manchester Derby, including Wayne Rooney’s bicycle kick and Mario Balotelli’s “Why always me?”
The Classic
The long-standing animosity between Real Madrid and Barcelona, like the Old Firm rivalry, has its roots in national politics. When it comes to the Spanish government and royal family, Madrid has always been the team (Real is the Spanish word for Royal), while Barcelona has never hidden their ties to the Catalan independence movement.
Because of their respective histories of success, we have had the pleasure of witnessing this rivalry unfold between two of the best teams in European football on the biggest stages.
Throughout the decades, the tension between Barcelona and Real Madrid has repeatedly reached a boiling point. Luis Figo, a beloved player for Barcelona, became an outcast after he defected to Real Madrid in 2000.
When the Portuguese legend Figo returned to the Camp Nou in 2002, a disgruntled Barca fan threw a severed pig’s head at him as he went to take a corner, prompting the match’s suspension.
El Clásico often descended into a display of bad sportsmanship and amateur dramatics in the early 2010s, when Real Madrid was managed by Jose Mourinho and Barcelona by Pep Guardiola.
Both managers had left by the 2013 El Clasico, and the game was widely considered to be the best of all time. Players like Messi, Ronaldo, and Neymar Jr. put on a show for fans. Theatrics were toned down a bit, but there were still three penalties and the standard red card for Sergio Ramos.
Derby Day in Merseyside
Liverpool FC and Everton are two of the biggest names in the Premier League, and their annual matchup was formerly known as the “friendly derby.” Considering how heated this rivalry has gotten in recent years, this news comes as a complete shock.
Since the beginning of the Premier League in 1992, more red cards have been shown in the Merseyside Derby than any other game. Twenty players have been dismissed from derby games at Goodison Park or Anfield, and there have been many matches with two or more dismissals.
Fans’ interest has been piqued by the rise to prominence of local players like Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, and Leighton Baines, all of whom hail from Liverpool. The excitement of the community and the fans is amplified when local boys play for their local clubs.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool and Anthony Gordon of Everton will carry on this custom. The next Merseyside Derby will feature two players who came up through their respective clubs’ youth academies and who will be eager to make an impression.
In 2001, Liverpool visited Goodison Park for what is widely considered the best Merseyside Derby in Premier League history. As stoppage time began, the score was tied at two. In a high-scoring match that featured four goals, twelve cautions, two penalties, and one dismissal, the action was far from over.
Gary McAllister of Liverpool scored a spectacular free kick in the 94th minute, providing late drama.
