To every fan, the match between their team and their fiercest rivals will always be considered as the biggest derby throughout the leagues.
But not every game can make the TIBS News top ten, with the list of the most passionate and atmospheric games as follows:
10 – Sheffield Wednesday vs. Sheffield United
The Steel City derby dates back over 120 years, with United having a slight edge, having won the derby on three more occasions than their neighbours. The fixtures have predominantly taken place in the top-two tiers of English football, with the exception of the 1979-80 season, and most recently the 2011-12 League One campaign, which saw Wednesday automatically promoted ahead of Sheffield’s red half. With that promotion, Wednesday fans also took bragging rights for at least a year, after United failed to join The Blues in the Championship, having lost the play-off final to other Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield.
9 – West Ham vs. Millwall
The East-London derby is one of the most hate fueled rivalries in English football, which has even led to five football hooliganism films. The clubs’ contrasting fortunes makes the tie a slight rarity, but in 2009 the two sides met in the League Cup, seeing scenes of violent disorder before, during and after the match, and even saw West Ham fans invade the pitch on three occasions. The hate surrounding this fixture almost certainly revolves around Lord of the Rings’ hobbit Elijah Wood.
8 – Birmingham City vs. Aston Villa
A ‘Second City’ derby which stands out was at Birmingham’s St Andrews stadium on 1st December 2010 in the League Cup. The Blues came away with a 2-1 win that night and a place in the semi-finals of the competition – which they went onto win at Wembley – but it was the scenes after the game which grabbed the headlines. Birmingham supporters filled onto the pitch and made their way towards the travelling Villains, before the two sets of fans threw chairs and flares to and fro. It is a game which always produces a heated atmosphere, and the rivalry increased after Alex McLeish swapped the Blues’ dugout for Villa Park, following City’s relegation from the Premier League.
7 – Newcastle vs. Sunderland
The Tyne-Wear derby is an inter-city rivalry which dates back to 1883. The two are just 10 miles apart, and to date, Newcastle currently lead the way with 53 wins to Sunderland’s 46. The two have predominantly played out their games in the top tier, but both have suffered relegation to the Championship in recent years, Sunderland in 2006, and the Toon in 2009, but both bounced straight back by winning the league.
6 – Everton vs. Liverpool
The Merseyside derby is a game which is sure to divide households throughout Liverpool, with only Stanley Park separating the two grounds. It’s billed by many as the friendly derby, but the Liverpudlians are sure to tell you different, and it’s one which has provided countless classics over the years. Liverpool unsurprisingly lead the way in victories, but could that be about to change?
5 – Southampton vs. Portsmouth
It’s known by locals as ‘El Clasicoast,’ but the two have both been on a rough ride in recent years. Southampton, or ‘The Scum’ as they are called in Portsmouth, suffered administration in 2009, before Portsmouth, or ‘The Skates’ followed suit with a recent downfall leading to League Two football. Violence has often marred the fixture, with a ‘coach bubble’ often used to minimise the contact between the two sets of supporters. Pompey are unbeaten in the last three, but The Saints have 34 first class wins compared to their neighbour’s 21.
4 – Cardiff City vs. Swansea City
The South Wales derby comes in at 4th, with a fixture which has been marred by violence on many occasions. Recently in October 2011, fights broke out between the two at Wembley for WALES’ Euro 2012 qualifier with England, despite both sets of fans supporting the same team. Cardiff fan Mike Dye later died in hospital after suffering severe head injuries. After Cardiff’s relegation the two won’t meet this season.
3 – Tottenham Hotspur vs. Arsenal
The North London derby makes it into the top three, with games between Tottenham and Arsenal making up a number of Premier League classics. Who can forget Arsenal’s 5-4 win at White Hart Lane in 2004? Not to mention Spurs’ incredible 4-4 comeback at the Emirates or Arsenal’s 5-2 home win last season. Let’s hope there is certainly more of the same to come from the North Londoners.
2 – Manchester City vs. Manchester United
It was only a matter time before Manchester United cropped up, wasn’t it? Having won 19 league titles, it’s fair to say that the Red Devils have made one or two enemies over the years. Noisy neighbours Manchester City have historically under-achieved in terms of success, but the rivalry has always run deep. That has only been deepened since City’s rise to the top and I’m sure their 6-1 win at Old Trafford and Aguero’s last-gasp title clincher will only have added to that.
1 – Liverpool vs. Manchester United
The two most glittered clubs in English football, if not the world, rightly earn their spot at the top. With 38 league titles between them, the rivalry of competing to be the world’s best English side dates back 50 years. United have recently overtook Liverpool as the most successful side domestically, but don’t forget the five European titles which have made their way to Anfield. In recent years Luis Suarez spiced this up even more and with him gone it’s now Mario Balotelli’s chance, but as a fixture so many of us make sure we don’t miss, Liverpool vs. Manchester United was always going to be the number one English rivalry.
By Harry Hunt
This photo was provided by dullhunk
