Stevie G, Ian Rush, Peter Beardsley and more derby hat-trick heroes
Scoring in a derby will always ingratiate a player with the fans, but smashing in a hat-trick takes you to a whole new level. After Liverpool's Steven Gerrard demolished Merseyside neighbours Everton with a timely treble, talkSPORT takes a look back at six derby hat-trick heroes…
IAN RUSH V EVERTON 1982
Before Stevie G's heroics, Rush was the last player to score a hat-trick in a Merseyside derby. The Welsh wizard actually went one better, knocking in four as Liverpool trounced Everton 5-0 on their own turf.
LIONEL MESSI V REAL MADRID 2007
This was when the world's greatest player truly announced his arrival. In just his second full season for Barca, the 19-year-old brought La Blaugrana level three times against Fabio Capello's Madrid. The Argentine reserved his best strike for last, netting a dramatic late equaliser and becoming the first player to score a hat-trick in this fixture since Ivan Zamorano for Real in 1995.
PETER BEARDSLEY V Sunderland 1985
Played out on New Year's Day at St James' Park, this derby was a real firecracker. Featuring two red cards, a missed penalty and a quality hat-trick from Magpies legend 'Pedro', this one lives long in the memory of all Geordies present. This was the last Tyne-Wear hat-trick until Kevin Nolan led the Toon Army in destroying Sunderland 5-1 in 2010.
GARY ROWELL V NEWCASTLE 1979
Six years before Beardsley broke Mackem hearts, it was Sunderland legend Gary Rowell's turn to make Geordies weep. A stunning hat-trick and a 4-1 win on the enemy's territory in a Division Two match meant Rowell would never be forgotten on Wearside.
ALLY McCOIST V CELTIC 1984
Is there any better way to ensure you become a club legend than scoring a hat-trick in a cup final against your most bitter rivals? Current Gers boss Ally McCoist was the last man to grab such a treble and he did it in some style.
VINCENZO MONTELLA V LAZIO 2002
One of the fierecest rivalries in Europe was settled by an inspired Vincenzo Montella grabbing four goals in 2002. The former Italy striker ripped Lazio's defence to shreds as Roma ran out 5-1 winners.
Words: Dom Bryant