The Sports Matrix: Thursday 28 April 2011
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Your support makes all the difference.Rooney: I was so wrong to consider leaving this club
The Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney admitted yesterday the “mistake” he made in October when he threatened to quit the club, “doubting the continued ability of the club to attract the top players in the world” and “win trophies”. With United having one foot in the Champions League final after their 2-0 win over Schalke on Tuesday night, Rooney said: “You know, when you look at it now how wrong was I!” Rooney still has work to do to win back certain sections of United’s support and his road to redemption has taken in joining Twitter – against his agent’s wishes, who fears a PR disaster. The England striker’s profile is complete with loving picture with his wife Coleen. MORE
Messi magic gives Barça advantage
Two Lionel Messi goals earned Barcelona a 2-0 away win over Real Madrid in an ill-tempered semi-final first leg. A tunnel fracas and red cards for Real’s Jose Mourinho and Pepe preceded the teams being locked in their changing rooms to calm down after the match. MORE
Dempsey double moves Fulham up
Fulham moved into the top half of the table after easing past Bolton Wanderers 3-0 at Craven Cottage. Clint Dempsey scored either side of half-time before Brede Hangeland’s header on 65 minutes cemented the win and sent Mark Hughes’s side up to ninth. MORE
Portuguese sides look to lift nation
Tonight’s semi-finals, featuring three Portuguese sides, offer the country’s public a diversion from their political and economic problems. Braga face Benfica while Andres Villas-Boas’s domestic champions, Porto, take on Spain’s Villarreal. MORE
Late sprint for 2012 Games tickets
Organisers of the London 2012 Games say they have received over 20 million applications for 6.6 million tickets. Rhythmic gymnastics, track cycling, triathlon, modern pentathlon and cross-country equestrian events are sold out for each day. MORE
Bayern may not be able to afford Neuer
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness will not pay an “astronomical price” for Schalke’s Manuel Neuer. The goalkeeper was thought to be going to Bayern this summer but Manchester United may now feel they have a chance of signing him. MORE
Patel weighs in with 81 for Notts
Samit Patel made a good case for an England recall yesterday, scoring an impressive 81 for Nottinghamshire. He was batting on the second day of the champions’ home match against Worcestershire. Notts finished on 291 for 8, in response to 315 all out. MORE
India choose Fletcher as coach
India have appointed former England coach Duncan Fletcher on a two-year contract. The 62- year-old , who oversaw England’s 2005 Ashes win, replaces South African Gary Kirsten, who left after India’s World Cup victory.
Higgins sends O’Sullivan home
John Higgins triumphed in his marathon battle with Ronnie O’Sullivan, 13-10, in the World Championship quarter-final at the Crucible last night, after O’Sullivan surrendered a 7-4 lead. Higgins goes through to face Mark Williams. MORE
Exeter safe after RFU punishment
Exeter will retain their Premiership status after an RFU tribunal docked them just two points, as well as a £5,000 fine, for fielding three foreign players, rather than the permitted two, earlier this month. Exeter are comfortable in ninth place ahead of Sale. MORE
Hanagan confident after Ascot victory
The victory of Miss Work Of Art at Ascot yesterday has raised the confidence of trainer Richard Fahey and jockey Paul Hanagan. The pair combine with Barefoot Lady in the 1,000 Guineas on Sunday. “She is absolutely bouncing,” Hanagan said. MORE
Donald has top spot in his sights
Luke Donald competes in the Zurich Classic in Louisiana today, the world No 3 hoping to catch the No 1, Lee Westwood. Donald missed an opportunity on Sunday but believes he still “has a lot of chances” to overtake his British compatriot. MORE
James Lawton
Lionel Messi unlocked the doors to Wembley so exquisitely even José Mourinho had to square up to the unpalatable fact that no football coach on earth has the wit or invention to stop the pure gusts of authentic genius. MORE
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