London derbies are always games people look forward to. You are guaranteed to see goals, bookings, and a heated battle between the two teams involved.
The fans are desperate to see their team win, unlike any other game, and therefore so much more is on the line. Their passion and noise transcend to the players on the pitch, often causing them to rise to another level.
These five players put in magnificent individual performances in London derbies, thriving on the occasion.
#1 Dele Alli vs Chelsea January 2017
Four days into the new year, Chelsea were attempting to make history by recording 14 straight wins in the Premier League. Antonio Conte’s side were in magnificent form with the 13 previous teams they faced struggling to deal with their new 3-4-3 formation.
However, Tottenham were also a side in fine form. Dele Alli and Harry Kane had been firing on all cylinders and the former’s performance at White Hart Lane saw him come of age.
His two headed goals helped his team see off Chelsea and end their hopes of winning a 14th game in a row.
Scoring two goals against Chelsea’s defence was no mean feat. At just 20 years of age, he stole the show, scoring the only two goals of the game. In addition to this, it helped him earn a lot of praise in the process with him now rumoured to be wanted by top clubs around the world, illustrating how good his individual performance in January was.
#2 Andre Schurrle vs Fulham 2014
Andre Schurrle is a name many Chelsea fans may have forgotten. However, his 18-minute hat-trick against Fulham in 2014 was a day to remember for the German. His ruthless finishing contributed to his side’s win at Craven Cottage and their four-point lead at the top of the table.
Both teams were struggling to create chances with Fulham putting in a strong defensive display in the first half. However, Schurrle and his team-mates sprung into life in the second half.
The German latched onto a ball in behind and bearing down on goal, he slotted the ball underneath the keeper with his weak foot. For his second, he was easily found by Hazard in the box and once again placed the ball past the keeper into the corner again with his left foot.
For the third goal, his movement once again meant he found himself with time and space in front of goal, with him calmly finishing past the keeper for his hat-trick, this time with his right foot.
Although Fulham were on their way down, Schurrle’s performance mustn’t be underestimated with him scoring three perfectly finished goals in this London derby.
#3 Alexis Sanchez vs West Ham 2016
The London derby between Arsenal and West Ham always involves goals, with this game in December having six in a 5-1 victory for Arsenal at the London Stadium.
Alexis Sanchez scored three of the five for the Gunners as his fantastic performance saw him score three goals and get an assist away at West Ham.
For his first, he used great strength to turn and hold off two defenders before firing into the corner from a tight angle. He followed that up with an unstoppable low volley into the corner for his second. After a goal from Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sanchez completed his 14-minute hat-trick where he feinted to shoot at first, fooling Darren Randolph in goal, before scoring a delightful chip.
The hat-trick rounded off a magnificent individual performance from the Chilean in this London derby, where Arsenal humiliated a West Ham who struggled all season to impress in their new stadium.
#4 Gareth Bale vs West Ham 2013
With 13 goals already in the Premier League, Gareth Bale was the danger man for West Ham heading into this game at Upton Park in February 2013.
Bale was extremely confident leading up to the clash with West Ham having scored four goals in his previous three matches. He had also scored in the home victory over West Ham in November 2012, so the Welshman would have been confident of bagging another goal against the Hammers this time around.
His confidence soon turned to reality as he grabbed the first goal of the game with a nice finish from just outside the box, putting it out of goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen’s reach. He then also played a part in Tottenham’s second goal as his dangerous delivery from a free-kick influenced the goal as West Ham struggled to deal with the cross.
With seconds of normal time left, Bale had the ball around 30 yards from goal, lashed at the ball and his effort rippled the top right corner.
This amazing goal capped off a match-winning individual performance from the Welshman.
#5 Robin van Persie vs Chelsea 2011
Stamford Bridge has always been one of the toughest places in the Premier League for Arsenal to visit. However, in 2011, with Andre Villas-Boas struggling to implement his tactics at Chelsea, it was Arsenal’s best chance to end their hoodoo.
Robin van Persie equalised for Arsenal as he was set up perfectly to tap in by Gervinho. And after taking a 3-2 lead just after half-time, coming back from 2-1 down, Arsenal then conceded again to Juan Mata, with the scoreline now reading 3-3 in an enthralling London derby.
Then, it was time for van Persie to steal the headlines. Chasing down John Terry, who then slipped, he was through one on one with Petr Cech. He calmly rounded the keeper with ease before tapping into an open goal, giving Arsenal the lead once more.
Finally, on the breakaway at the end of the match, the Dutchman received it just inside the box and smashed it into the top left corner, completing his hat-trick.
Despite van Persie not in the good books of Arsenal fans, a hat-trick against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge is an individual performance they will never forget.
