Derby Days
Derby Days
Derby Days
The most competitive matches in the Premier League are often 'Derby' matches. A 'derby' is a match between local rivals. i.e. teams that are from the same city or the same part of the country. These local games have a special place in the hearts of fans and players. Let's take a look at three of these passionate fixtures.
Note: Pronunciation
Derby = /dɑ:bi:/ (rhymes with Barbie)
The Merseyside Derby
The Merseyside Derby is played between Everton and Liverpool. It is called the Merseyside Derby after the River Mersey which flows through the city of Liverpool. The Merseyside Derby was first played in 1894 and has been played 221 times, with Liverpool winning 88 times and Everton 66 times. Everton and Liverpool football grounds are about 1 kilometre from each other and are the closest rival stadiums in the Premier League.
The Tyne and Wear Derby
This derby match is not between two teams from the same city like in Liverpool, but between two teams from cities that are very near each other in the North East of England: Newcastle and Sunderland. The derby between Newcastle Utd and Sunderland was first played in 1888. It has been played 143 times, with Sunderland winning 45 times and Newcastle 53. It is called The Tyne and Wear Derby after the rivers that flow through the cities: The Tyne (Newcastle) and The Wear (Sunderland).
The West Midlands Derby
Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion football clubs are only 4 miles (6.4 km) apart. Traditionally, Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers are their strongest rivals. However, those clubs are not in the Premier League so this match has become more important in the battle for supremacy in the West Midlands. This match has been played 141 times, with Aston Villa winning 65 times and West Brom 45 times. The first league meeting between the two teams was in 1889.
Why are Derby matches so important?
Local pride is the main reason, fans of both clubs see each other at school, work and sometimes even in the same family every day. When your club has won it is much easier to go to school or work the day after the game to boast about your team's victory.
Derby matches are often very difficult to predict as they are usually played at a very fast pace with lots of tackles and fouls. The Merseyside Derby is the fixture with most red cards in Premier League history (20). In every derby match, you will see lots of passion from fans and players as two local rivals go head to head for victory.
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What do you think?
What is your favourite derby match in the Premier League?
What derby matches are there in your country?
Are these the most important games for the fans?
Let us know in the comments section below.
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Comments
28/10/2023
points
1. My favourite derby in the premier league is Manchester Derby (Manchester City vs Manchester United).
2. Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru (Indian Super League).
3. Yes they are very important.
28/10/2023 08:46
Manchester City
377
1. My favourite derby in the premier league is Manchester Derby (Manchester City vs Manchester United).
2. Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru (Indian Super League).
3. Yes they are very important.
03/08/2023
points
1. My favourite derby match in the premier league is Manchester City vs Manchester United.
2. Zamalek vs Al-Ahly.
3. Yes, they are.
03/08/2023 15:54
Manchester City
383
1. My favourite derby match in the premier league is Manchester City vs Manchester United.
2. Zamalek vs Al-Ahly.
3. Yes, they are.
02/06/2021
points
My favorite derby match in the Premier League is Liverpool against Everton.
In my country the most important derby is Steaua Bucharest against Dinamo Bucharest.
02/06/2021 11:45
Liverpool
38
My favorite derby match in the Premier League is Liverpool against Everton.
In my country the most important derby is Steaua Bucharest against Dinamo Bucharest.
22/03/2021
points
My favourite is Man Utd against Man City.
There are a lot of derby matches in Brazil. Especially in São Paulo state, where I live, that we have at least 4 clubs playing the first division since ever and fighting for the top positions at the table.
For the fans these are obviously the most important matches because of the rivalry envolved.
22/03/2021 14:51
Arsenal
1512
My favourite is Man Utd against Man City.
There are a lot of derby matches in Brazil. Especially in São Paulo state, where I live, that we have at least 4 clubs playing the first division since ever and fighting for the top positions at the table.
For the fans these are obviously the most important matches because of the rivalry envolved.
06/07/2020
points
The Manchester derby for sure between United and City.
In İzmir we have Göztepe vs Karşıyaka which is a famous derby here.
Mostly yes but there are other vital and exciting games as well between the best two teams in the country.
06/07/2020 18:44
Manchester United
6510
The Manchester derby for sure between United and City.
In İzmir we have Göztepe vs Karşıyaka which is a famous derby here.
Mostly yes but there are other vital and exciting games as well between the best two teams in the country.
05/07/2020
points
Nice
05/07/2020 23:38
Newcastle United
1505
Nice
26/04/2018
points
Very good
26/04/2018 07:47
Everton
12
Very good
05/07/2016
points
They are the most important games for fans as it somewhat determines who might win the cup and offers the fans some bragging rights
05/07/2016 11:14
Manchester United
4768
They are the most important games for fans as it somewhat determines who might win the cup and offers the fans some bragging rights
05/07/2016
points
Accra Hearts of Oak vrs Kumasi Asante Kotoko
05/07/2016 11:13
Manchester United
4768
Accra Hearts of Oak vrs Kumasi Asante Kotoko
05/07/2016
points
The Manchester derby
05/07/2016 11:12
Manchester United
4768
The Manchester derby
08/04/2016
points
Derbies in my country is less exciting than in Europe.
08/04/2016 12:37
Liverpool
3705
Derbies in my country is less exciting than in Europe.
08/04/2016
points
Yes they are.
08/04/2016 12:36
Liverpool
3705
Yes they are.
08/04/2016
points
It is the Merseyside Derby.
08/04/2016 12:36
Liverpool
3705
It is the Merseyside Derby.
14/12/2015
points
I also enjoyed in The Old Firm derby, but unfortunately I'll have to wait more to see that match..
14/12/2015 15:16
Arsenal
3557
I also enjoyed in The Old Firm derby, but unfortunately I'll have to wait more to see that match..
15/11/2015
points
My favourite derby is north London derby,Arsenal vs Spurs
15/11/2015 09:14
Arsenal
2320
My favourite derby is north London derby,Arsenal vs Spurs
28/10/2015
points
Merseyside derby definitely. Also the north-west derby between L'pool and Man.Utd and north London derby between Arsenal and Tott'ham. Love it! In my country there is a local derby between FC Buducnost and FC Mladost. It used to be very important but at the moment the league has poor quality.
28/10/2015 21:37
Arsenal
3557
Merseyside derby definitely. Also the north-west derby between L'pool and Man.Utd and north London derby between Arsenal and Tott'ham. Love it! In my country there is a local derby between FC Buducnost and FC Mladost. It used to be very important but at the moment the league has poor quality.
29/09/2015
points
Derby of Manchester
29/09/2015 02:15
Manchester United
1308
Derby of Manchester
09/07/2014
points
Thank you for the article, didn't knew much about derby matches before.
09/07/2014 10:57
Chelsea
0
Thank you for the article, didn't knew much about derby matches before.