Commentary

Refers to a big match in Europe between two teams from Britain. Classically this would be between one of the Old Firm Scottish giants (Celtic and Rangers) against a traditional big team from England (Liverpool and Manchester United), but it can refer to teams from the same country playing each other in European competition too. There’s familiarity, a big atmosphere from both sets of fans, and even greater bragging rights.

A popular sporting British idiom, it describes a match that is dramatically different in both halves. One team dominates the first half and takes an unassailable lead. After the half time break the opposition fight back and control the second half.

Said by commentators about 10,000 times during matches on the last day of the season. When every team is playing at the same time and the goals are flying in, we're told the table 'As it stands' every time a goal goes in somewhere and the title, promotion, European or playoff places, and relegation matters change multiple times. Drama!

When a one-sided match ends in an exceptionally high and unexpected score it is often referred to as resembling the runs scored in a cricket match.

Often heard by commentators during big European, international or nighttime domestic fixtures during midweek, ‘Under the Lights’ is a term that refers to matches played under artificial floodlights. When compared to regular weekend, daytime matches, ‘Under the lights’ is used to describe the big-match feeling and excitement that accompany such matches and the bright lights and colours that are on show.