Nothing gets a fan’s blood boiling like a derby. We look forward to the chance to get one over on our neighbours at every opportunity and when the fixtures are released in at the start of the season; millions immediately seek out the home and away fixture against the enemy. In England there are a host of rivalries that have made the back pages so join me as I recap some of the best and most controversial English derbies in recent memory:Liverpool 3 Everton 2 PL 00/01
In a match that saw 5 goals, a missed penalty, two Liverpool rejected penalty appeals, 12 bookings and the sending off of Igor Biscan, only a special goal was going to win this game and Gary McAllister duly obliged with a 45 yarder.
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Birmingham 3 Aston Villa 0 PL 02/03
Midlands derbies are always fiery encounters but this one saw a fan jailed as Birmingham ran out 3 nil winners following one of the most bizarre goals that will ever be scored.
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Manchester United 4 Manchester City 3 PL 09/10
The Manchester derby is always exciting but with the introduction of City’s billions and the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, this one definitely did not disappoint with a certain Scouser announcing his arrival at Old Trafford deep into injury time.
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Arsenal 4 Tottenham 4 PL 08/09
This was one of the games of the season, and also had a contender for goal of the season as Spurs rescued a point at the death.
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West Ham 3 Millwall 1 Carling Cup 09/10
This one played out like it was written by the director of Green Street. Organised trouble before the game saw a fan stabbed in the chest as West Ham advanced in this Carling Cup ties. But what would this London derby be without the obligatory pitch invasions?
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