Premier League is the highest level of Domestic football in English Football. However, it is one of the best showcases of football in the entire world. Being a domestic league format, it is also home to multiple local rivalries among the teams competing in the league.
These rivalries among the neighboring clubs and local teams are what we call a derby. Fans in huge amounts come to passionately support their teams while also showcasing hate for the rivals.
There are numerous rivalries and derbies that get fierce and crazy and the outcome of the matchup can affect a lot of people. The rivalries have been part of the game for quite a while now. So let us take a look at some of these long-lasting derbies and know about Which is the oldest derby in the Premier League?
Which is the oldest derby in the Premier League?
England is the home to one of the oldest football clubs in the world. Hence it is of no shock to see century-old derbies still in action in the region. However, there is not a clear idea when dating history back.
When we go down history lane, we come across multiple rivalries that date back to the 19th century as well. The Manchester derby fought against the teams of the same origin Manchester United and Manchester City were first played in 1881. However both the teams didn’t go by the same name and the rivalry was not that bitter until later in the 20th century because of Manchester United’s dominance in the scene.
When the two sides fought their first match on 12th November 1881, they went by names different from their current ones. United was then called Newton Heath LYR while City went by the name St. Marks.
Started as two local clubs competing against each other on a very feeble level, both the teams grew up to become one of the greatest clubs in the region and started competing in the first division of the football league in no time.
The Manchester Derby has been played a total of 187 times. In these 187 matchups, United has the upper hand as they have won a total of 77 matches while only losing 57 matches to City and 53 matches resulting in a draw.
List of some of the oldest Premier League derbies
- North London derby(Arsenal vs Tottenham Hotspur)
- North West London derby(Chelsea vs Arsenal)
- North West London derby(Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea)
- Liverpool F.C.–Manchester United F.C.
- Merseyside derby