The Sports Matrix: Tuesday 12 April 2011

Ferguson notes Chelsea ‘obsession’

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said yesterday that Chelsea were “obsessed” with trying to win the Champions League. “It seems it has become an obsession with them,” he said. “But it is a very difficult competition to win.” MORE

Chapple and Keedy topple Sussex

First Division newcomers Sussex went down to an innings defeat in their opening County Championship game at Lancashire. Glen Chapple and Gary Keedy excelled with the ball for the hosts to bowl Sussex out for 174 and clinch a comprehensive victory. MORE

Watson hits record 15 sixes in innings

Shane Watson smashed a record 15 sixes and 15 fours on his way to an unbeaten 185 as Australia beat Bangladesh to clinch the ODI series 2-0. Captain Michael Clarke said, “That was probably the best innings I’ve seen.” MORE

Ancelotti confident over job security

Carlo Ancelotti has claimed his position as Chelsea manager is secure, whatever the result of tonight’s Champions League quarter-final at Old Trafford. “My future is already decided,” the Italian said. “I don’t have a problem about this game.” MORE

Vettel wary of early celebrations

Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel has rubbished claims that his early season form signifies his “brutal dominance” of the sport. “I don’t need to explain how many things can change,” the defending Formula One champion said. “We’ve only had two of 19 races.” MORE

Can Torres end his barren spell?

Chelsea forward Fernando Torres faces Manchester United tonight still awaiting his first goal for his new club. The Spaniard has struggled for form since joining from Liverpool in January, despite the team’s shape being adapted to suit his style of play. MORE

RFU summons Exeter to hearing

The RFU has called Exeter to a disciplinary hearing after the Devon team included three foreign players in their squad, rather than the permitted two. “We hope [the RFU] take into account our previous good record,” chief executive Tony Rowe said. MORE

Pedro: Shakhtar can cause us problems

Barcelona are not underestimating tonight’s Champions League quarter-final second leg with Shakhtar Donetsk, despite travelling to Ukraine with a 5-1 advantage. “It will be difficult,” said Pedro. “Anything can happen. They are a great team.”

McIlroy looks for the positives

Rory McIlroy believes the agony of his final-round collapse at the Masters will make him a stronger player. “It will be pretty tough for me for the next few days, but I will get over it – I will be fine,” he said. “It’s all part of the learning curve.” MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

English golf, we keep being told, has a golden generation, something English football boasted for many fruitless years. Unfortunately, the golfers are going the same way – pretty much nowhere of lasting significance. MORE

City suffer at the hands of Carroll

Three goals in 20 first-half minutes secured a fine victory for Liverpool over Manchester City at Anfield last night, dampening the visitors’ chances of Champions League qualification. Liverpool, who have already beaten Chelsea and Manchester United since Kenny Dalglish’s January return, went ahead after 13 minutes thanks to an Andy Carroll piledriver, which went straight through Joe Hart. Dirk Kuyt stroked home the second just after the half-hour before Carroll headed in his second a minute later. City suffered further problems with the early, injury enforced withdrawal of striker Carlos Tevez. MORE

Kroenke takes control of Arsenal

American businessman Stan Kroenke has completed a deal to increase his shareholding in Arsenal to more than 62 per cent after buying out Danny Fiszman and Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith. He will try to buy the remaining shares from Alisher Usmanov. MORE

Murray finds the upside to early exit

Andy Murray feels his failure at the Miami Masters last month will benefit him in the clay court season. “Because I didn’t do well in Miami, I was able to get two weeks of practice on the clay,” he said. “I want to give myself a shot of doing well.” MORE