Five great Premier League derby games

Every fan enjoys fixtures with a local rival. Even more so when the game creates great memories.

The Premier League has had some great derby games over the last 28 years. So let’s look back at some of those memorable derby games.

Newcastle 1-2 Sunderland (1999)

This Tyne-Wear Derby will be remembered for the two things, the torrential rain, and fact under pressure Newcastle manager Ruud Gullit left strikers Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson on the bench.

Gullit’s decision seemed to pay off though when Kieron Dyer gave The Magpies the lead in the 28th minute.

But despite the good start, Sunderland would respond in the second half. They were back on level terms just after the hour mark after a free-kick fell to sriker Niall Quinn, who headed the ball into the ground and passed keeper Tommy Wright.

Then with 15 minutes to go, Quinn’s strike partner Kevin Phillips was played in one on one with Wright. The Northern Irishman stood tall and denied him. But then Phillips chased to the ball and from a tight angle, looped the ball over him and into the top corner.

Phillips’ exqusite finisher proved to be the winner at St James’ Park and proved to be Ruud Gullit’s final game incharge. The Dutch legend left the club three days later.

Blackburn 3-4 Bolton (2004)

It was goals galore in the Lancashire Derby. An imporving Bolton Wanderers travelled to Ewood Park to face a struggling Blackburn Rovers.

The away side had the perfect start too. Kevin Nolan giving Bolton the lead in the opening 14 seconds.

But if Bolton had a quick start, Blackburn had a quick response. Full-back Vratislav Greško pushed forward, and equalised just two minutes later.

Blackburn then took the lead after 24 minutes. Dwight Yorke fired home from six yards, following some slick play between Brett Emerton and Andy Cole.

Just after half-hour Cole leaped on a header from Trotter’s centre-back Bruno N’Gotty towards Jussi Jääskeläinen. He looped it over the Finnish striker and gave Rovers a 3-1 lead.

But just before the interval, Bolton were back in the game. Tugay mistimed his header which allowed Youri Djorkaeff to run in on goal. A nice first touch was followed with an acute angled lob over Brad Friedel’s head into the top corner.

With 20 minutes left on the clock, Nicky Hunt played a ball to Kevin Davies, he laid it off into the path of Stellios Giannakopoulos, who then slotted the ball home.

Then in the 78th minute, Bolton completed the comeback, Djorkaeff’s corner found N’Gotty, but his loose control fell to Nolan who took his chance and gave Wanderers and memorable victory at Ewood.

Tottenham 2-2 Arsenal (2004)

North London Derbies never fail to disappoint and this derby match in April 2004 justifies that.

The Gunners travelled to White Hart Lane knowing a point would secure them the Premiership crown.

They got off to the perfect start after three minutes. From a Spurs corner, Arsenal’s talisman Thierry Henry broke away for a counter attack. He released Dennis Bergkamp, who played it across to Patrick Vieira, who put the ball in the back of the net.

With ten minutes before the break Arsenal doubled the lead. Robert Pires was on the end on some neat passing play from the Gunners. Bergkamp laid off goalscorer Vieira who then played in Pires to make it 2-0.

With 27 minutes to go, Spurs were back in the game. Jamie Redknapp’s 30 yard drive was too powerful for Jens Lehmann. It was going to be a nervy end to the game.

Then in the last minute of stoppage time Tottenham were awarded a penalty. Lehmann was found guilty of pushing Robbie Keane in the back. The Irishman stepped up and placed his spotkick into the top corner and rescued Spurs a point.

Though a good result for Tottenham, it was Arsenal’s day, the draw at the Lane was enough to secure Arsene Wenger’s side their 13th league title and would end the season unbeaten.

Everton 3-0 Liverpool (2006)

Everton had made a good start to the 2006/07 season, and that continued after a fantastic display over Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

After 24 minutes, Mikel Arteta put in cross which was flicked on by Lee Carsley to Tim Cahill who put his chance away to give The Toffees the lead.

12 minutes later and Everton were 2-0 up. Lee Carsley once again providing the assist, his long hoping ball looked like it was going to be dealt by Reds’ centre half Jamie Carragher. However, his mistimed clearance came off Andy Johnson, who fired past Pepe Reina.

Liverpool’s humiliation was complete in the 94th minute. Carsley tried testing Pepe Reina from long range. The Spanish keeper parried the shot, looking like he dealt with it. But he then realised the save was going in. Reina then threw the ball into to path of Johnson who got his second of the game and Everton’s third.

West Brom 2-3 Leicester (2015)

Though Leicester City and West Bromwich Albion aren’t the biggest rivals, it is still classed as a Midlands Derby.

The Foxes needing a victory in their bid for survival travelled to The Hawthorns. They didn’t a great start after Chris Brunt’s corner was met by Darren Fletcher at the near post to give Albion the lead.

But twelve minutes later Leonardo Ulloa flicked on from a long ball played in David Nugent. He got the better of Baggies’ defender, Joleon Lescott and equalised for Leicester.

But Leicester couldn’t hold on. A cross to Brown Ideye was cleared away only into the path of Craig Gardner. His volley beat Kasper Schmeichel and put West Brom back infront.

With ten minutes left Leicester were back on level terms. Martin Wasilewski’s played cushioned header towards fellow defender Robert Huth who header it in to the net.

But then in stoppage time, Jamie Vardy led a Leicester charge forward.  One on one with Lescott, Vardy fired a shot past West Brom keeper Boaz Myhill and gave The Foxes a dramatic late victory. This win ultimately began Leicester’s late surge to safety.