Which English club has the best record in the country’s biggest derbies?
With two major derbies taking place this weekend, it begs the question; just who has the best record in the country’s biggest and most contested derbies in the top flight. Since the Second World War, these five games have been played time and again to differing results and intensity, but always the same level of entertainment. See who has the best record below.
Read More:
Morgan Schneiderlin Tottenham: Spurs to attempt fourth bid for Saints star
Mario Balotelli Car: Liverpool Striker Lets Young Fans Drive His Ferrari!
(Pictures) Amazing Ryder Cup WAGS In All Their Glory.
The Second City Derby – Aston Villa vs Birmingham City
Villa wins: 26
Birmingham wins: 23
Draws: 13
This fixture took an extended break until the early years of the previous decade, and at first Birmingham were the team to beat as they played like a side that had been working towards a chance to take on their arch rivals. However, the past few games between these two have seen Villa record some smash and grab victories at St Andrews and Villa Park, though the most memorable game came when Villa destroyed the Blues 5-1 in 2008 to send their neighbours back down to the Championship.
The Tyne-Weir Derby – Sunderland vs Newcastle
Sunderland wins: 27
Newcastle wins: 17
Draws: 30
This fixture has produced some explosive encounters over the years as a truly football mad region turns out in force to support their sides. However, despite Sunderland recently gaining the upper hand in their latest encounters, this one has tended to end in a draw as two geared up teams end up cancelling each other out. Still, not many would have thought that the Black Cats have a better record considering their yo-yoing between the top two flights since the Premier League’s inception.
The Manchester Derby – Manchester united vs Manchester City
United wins: 40
City wins: 32
Draws: 34
United understandably have the upper hand in this one, as City were for so long the city’s second side, which was underlined by an absence from the top two flights in the late ’90s/early ’00s. However, where City were once the plucky underdogs digging deep to produce a shock performance, they are now on an even keep with the Red Devils, and can even be considered as the favourites now. This fixture would certainly make for interesting viewing now, considering that Louis Van Gaal’s men have untold defensive issues which is counteracted by the most enviable forward line in the Premier League.
The Merseyside Derby – Liverpool vs Everton
Liverpool wins: 44
Everton wins: 23
Draws: 43
The Reds half of the city will be much happier with this record, but as witnessed on Saturday, the game invariably ends in a draw. They say form goes out the window in a fixture like this and they’re not wrong. But with Everton’s rise to prominence as a genuine contender for the top five, Liverpool have had to worry about keeping them off their shoulders.
The North London Derby – Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal wins: 56
Spurs wins: 35
Draws: 35
Arsenal have now clocked up over half a century of victories in this fixture, as for so long they were north London’s dominant power. However, like Everton, Spurs have started to establish themselves as genuine top five contenders in the top flight and are starting to tip the scales back in their favour. Truly a fixture in which anything can happen that has created some amazing talking points over the recent seasons.
SEE ALSO: best Premier League players 2014/15