Off the pitch faceoffs

Following the massively entertaining snooker shootout between West Ham United pair Andy Carroll and Carl Jenkinson, their efforts to emulate baize stars Judd Trump and reigning world champion Stuart Bingham have raised a few sporting eyebrows.

The Hammers duo squared-off on the snooker table as part of a connection with Betway, with both east London stars coming face-to-face on the green cloth for a snooker match, but there have been other, sometimes more aggressive, incidents off the pitch between sportsmen. Ex gunner RVP stars in this run down of the best off the pitch face offs.

Following the hugely enjoyable snooker video, it’s got people thinking of other times when two footballers or famous stars have come together for an intriguing one-on-one in a different sporting environment.

Wayne Rooney v Phil Bardsley
During the 2014/15 Premier League campaign, a video surfaced online featuring Manchester United and England skipper Rooney colliding with Sunderland defender and close friend Bardsley in the Old Trafford star’s home.

In the United captain’s kitchen, which hadn’t quite drawn in a capacity crowd, Rooney was sent crashing to the canvas, or rather the kitchen tiles, after a solid left hand from the Black Cats full back.

The leaked video led the Man Utd striker to amuse his home crown in Manchester with a related celebration after striking past Tottenham last term, throwing several punches before hitting the deck, again.

Robin van Persie v Daley Blind
Hailing from the Netherlands, a country renowned for its world class footballers, Dutch duo Daley Blind and Robin van Persie have also delved into the world of darts during their time together at Old Trafford.

Before Van Persie departed United for Turkish Super Lig giants Fenerbahce, he and his international teammate Blind went head-to-head on the oche, with the help of compatriots and world darts stars Michael van Gerwen and Raymond van Barneveld.

The Dutch duo will have to stick to their current trade and leave it to the masters of the darts craft though, with neither Dutchman proving to be as accurate as they are on the pitch, with no sign of a 180 in sight.

Yannick Bolasie v Bradley Wright Phillips
We move on from sports now to the musical side of things, with Crystal Palace’s wing wizard Bolasie having previously gone face-to-face with Wright Phillips in a heated rap battle.

Both have proved they possess plenty of talents on the pitch, though these duo collided lyrically for many rap contests, a musical rivalry dating back to their time together at Plymouth Argyle.

Their long-standing rap rivalry even made it onto an officially released album featuring many professional artists, with the pair having showcased swift rapping skills before, but maybe they should stick to their initial profession.

Wayne Rooney v Wade Barret
In a recent WWE event in Manchester, none other than Man Utd captain Rooney turned up for the blockbuster show close to his home ground of Old Trafford.

Although, a friendly family outing soon took a turn for the worst, as England’s all-time marksman was forced to show his clinical ability off the pitch, sending wrestler Wade to the floor with a rapid right-handed slap, much to the vociferous crowd’s enjoyment.

Wade had such a connection coming, following an onslaught of trash-talk aimed in Rooney’s direction, but if the United frontman was ever called-out for a proper WWE confrontation, Phil Bardsley would surely be happy to back him up.

Sergio Aguero v Juan Martin Del Potro
In front of a capacity-crowd at London’s O2 Arena, Manchester City sharpshooter was previously invited on court to contest fellow Argentine and one of the world’s best tennis stars Del Potro for a friendly set.

The Argentina international hitman was very flat-footed around the court though, and showed a lack of talent with the racket, sending a loose shot sailing into the rapturous London crowd, before resorting to playing his own brand of football tennis.

Aguero is sure to be firing a lot more accurately during the remainder of this current top-flight season, where he will look to fire Man City to success in the Premier League.