Top five on field fights by English Premier League clubs


Image copyright: Getty Images

The English Premier League (EPL) era has seen many on-field fights between teams and teammates.
 
We take a look at the top five on-field fights since the inception of the competition in 1992.
 

5. David Batty vs Graeme le Saux in 1995

 
Graeme Le Saux was caught up in controversy after fighting with Blackburn Rovers teammate David Batty during a clash with Spartak Moscow.
 
Rovers were Premier League champions and were embarrassed by the Russian club in the UEFA Champions League clash, with their side losing 3-0 when Batty and Le Saux came to blows.
 
Their teammates including captain Tim Sherwood had to intervene during the Group B match which was played in Russia.
 
“Before the match I told my players they will be playing against 11 guys ready to fight for each other for 90 minutes… not with each other,” Spartak coach Oleg Romantsev said after the game.


4. Patrick Viera vs Roy Keane in 2005

 
Manchester United legend Roy Keane had a fierce rivalry with former Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira.
 
The most notable incident between the two took place at Highbury in 2005 at the height of an extreme period of bad blood between United and Arsenal.
 
Vieira was seen confronting United defender Gary Neville in the tunnel before the game over his fouling of José Antonio Reyes in the previous match between the two sides.
 
This prompted Keane to verbally confront the Arsenal captain. The former Ireland international was heard telling match referee Graham Poll to, "Tell him [Vieira] to shut his fucking mouth!" on Sky Sports.
 

Sign up at Betway and enjoy solid action & heart-racing thrills when you bet on the English Premier League


Bet on the English premier league with Betway

 

3. Lee Bowyer vs. Kieron Dyer in 2005

 
Retired England international Bowyer's career was punctuated by various incidents both on and off the field.
 
Bowyer was in the media spotlight after an on-pitch brawl with teammate Kieron Dyer in Newcastle United's Premier League match with Aston Villa in 2005.
 
Both players had to be pulled apart and separated by their teammates and other Villa players.
 
Dyer received a three-match ban for the sending-off, while Bowyer received a four-match ban.
 
Bowyer was hit with a fine of more than £200,000 – approximately six weeks' wages – after it was adjudged he had been the aggressor.
 

2. John Obi Mikel vs Kolo Toure in 2007

 
Former Nigeria captain Mikel lost his cool during a London Derby clash between Chelsea and Arsenal in the 2007 English League Cup final.
 
The Chelsea legend was sent off in injury time (having come on as a substitute) after clashing with legendary Ivorian defender Kolo Touré.
 
The incident was followed by a huge fracas, in which Touré and Emmanuel Adebayor of Arsenal were sent off and Chelsea went on to win the match.
 
Chelsea duo of Cesc Fàbregas and Frank Lampard were also booked while Mourinho and Arsène Wenger were involved in an altercation on the pitch as well.
 

1. Emmanuel Adebayor vs Nicklas Bendtner in 2008

 
The Denmark international, Bendtner has been criticised in the media for his perceived arrogance and mentality, especially during his days with Arsenal.
 
Bendtner and fellow striker Adebayor did not get along well at the Gunners and this became apparent during the 2008 League Cup semi-final, second-leg away at Tottenham Hotspur.
 
The pair had a heated on-pitch altercation with the scoreline at 4-1 to Tottenham where referee Howard Webb, captain William Gallas and other teammates had to intervene and separate the two.
 
Adebayor later apologized on Arsenal's website and the Football Association declined to take any formal action against either.


Stay in the game with Virtual Sports


 
For all the latest sports news, betting tips and promotions follow Betway on Facebook, TwitterInstagram and YouTubeDownload the Betway App

Published: 05/22/2020