Everton star Tim Cahill loved his battle with Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic earlier this season.
He went toe to toe with the Serb and left with the last laugh as he bagged a final-second leveller.
Cahill added: "On the pitch it's fantastic pitting your wits against someone like that.
"I love the physical battle, especially in the derby, where it has that added bit of spice. It's great gamesmanship - as long as it's done in the right manner I am all for it. It's a compliment in football when you get kicked. It's how you react and mine will be fine.
"There are lots of heated moments which sometimes overtake the occasion. We don't want that because there's enough quality to go beyond it. But if it happens you have to take it on the chin.
"In the past myself and others have been sent off, there have been tackles going in, but now I think there's a mutual respect on the pitch."
