The Sports Matrix: Thursday 12 May 2011
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Foster’s ‘break’ surprises Capello
Ben Foster’s announcement yesterday that he is taking a break from England duty was a shock to Fabio Capello, who just last week asked him to delay an operation so he could face Switzerland next month. Foster said a full club season “takes it out of you”. MORE
ICC recommends trial of night Tests
The International Cricket Council said yesterday it would recommend a trial of floodlit Test matches within a year. A venue must be found and a ball chosen. “We could not afford to trial it and get it wrong,” said committee chairman Clive Lloyd. MORE
Barça win third La Liga in succession
Barcelona secured their third consecutive Spanish title last night, their ninth trophy in the three years since Pep Guardiola took over as coach. They did so with a 1-1 draw at Levante, Seydou Keita scoring their goal. MORE
Lennon attacked during Celtic win
Celtic’s 3-0 win at Hearts last night was marred by a supporter running onto the pitch and attacking Celtic manager Neil Lennon, who has been subject to threats of violence all season. Two goals were scored by Gary Hooper, the third by Kris Commons. MORE
Pietersen falls to slow left-armer
Kevin Pietersen, captaining Surrey against Cambridge MCCU yesterday, was out to a slow left-arm spinner. He has routinely struggled against such bowlers in the past. Pietersen reached 30 smoothly before being caught at slip off Zafar Ansari. MORE
Spurs to sell before buying in summer
Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy wants a clear-out this summer before he will sanction new spending. Spurs will listen to offers for a number of players, including Robbie Keane, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka and Wilson Palacios. MORE
Sale set to sign up sacked Powell
Andrew Powell, the Wales No 8 sacked by Wasps after a fight in a London bar, is close to signing a two-year contract with Sale. Powell is likely to play all of next season for the club as he is not in the World Cup plans of the Wales coach, Warren Gatland. MORE
Pulis: Stoke are final underdogs
Stoke manager Tony Pulis believes that a win in Saturday’s Cup final over Manchester City would be the biggest upset since Wimbledon in 1988. “If you compare the size of the clubs and what they’ve spent,” he said, “it’s as big a void as you’ll get.” MORE
Nadal fights back to beat Lorenzi
Rafael Nadal was 7-6, 4-3 down to world No 148 Paolo Lorenzi at the Rome Masters yesterday, but came back to win the secondround match 6-7, 6-4, 6-0. Nadal made 21 unforced errors in the first set, and was seven points away from losing the next. MORE
Opinion: James Lawton
David Haye says he will make his fight with Wladimir Klitschko a tribute to the late Sir Henry Cooper. But Haye’s four heavyweight bouts so far would have brought nothing but the deepest reproach in Cooper’s day. MORE
City could face Bayern play-off
Manchester City were thrilled on Tuesday night by their qualification for next season’s Champions League. But it has emerged that, should City finish fourth in the Premier League and enter the play-off round, they are highly unlikely to be seeded. This would mean having to beat a much stronger team to reach the group stage, with Bayern Munich and Villarreal among the likely seeds. The top five-ranked teams will be seeded for the play-off. This will likely leave City relying on at least one of Benfica, Dynamo Kiev or possibly even Ajax not winning their qualifiers before the play-off round if they want to be seeded. City’s one way of avoiding such a scenario is by finishing third ahead of Arsenal, and going straight into the group stage. Arsenal are currently two points ahead of them. If Arsenal went into the play-off round, their ranking would ensure that they were seeded.
Tevez winning Wembley race
Carlos Tevez’s display in training yesterday suggested that he may well be fit to play for Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final against Stoke. Tevez, who Mancini suggested on Tuesday would not be ready for the final, played well and scored twice. MORE
Weening triumphs in fifth Giro stage
The Netherlands’ Pieter Weening won stage five of the Giro d’Italia yesterday and moved to the top of the general classification. The Rabobank rider takes over the pink jersey from David Millar after the 191km ride from Piombino to Orvieto. MORE
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments