LONDON — No matter how global the sport becomes or how many foreigners are fielded by the top clubs, their derby matches still quicken the pulse in a special way.
There were three such games Saturday. Tottenham Hotspur came from a goal down to beat Arsenal, 2-1, in the North London derby, thanks to two fine goals from the homegrown Harry Kane.
Everton versus Liverpool finished without a goal by either side. The Merseyside derby started with great expectations because it was Steven Gerrard’s last league appearance at Goodison Park before he leaves to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the Premier League season.
Goalless was not quite guileless, though, because young Jordon Ibe — who was not even born when Gerrard began making his way through the Liverpool system — had a derby debut that outshone every other player on the field.
Then came the match that surpassed both century-old English occasions, when Atlético gave Real a 4-0 whipping in Madrid. They say that form goes out the window when teams play their nearest neighbor, and Atlético ridiculed Real’s pride in being the best team in the world.
