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Today's Matrices

The Sport Matrix: Wednesday 20 February 2013

Brilliant Bayern leave Arsenal facing Euro exit

Bayern Munich will take a 3-1 lead back to Germany after easing to victory against Arsenal in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg last night .

On a chastening night for Arsène Wenger, below, Toni Kroos put the visitors ahead on seven minutes, striking through a crowded penalty area. Thomas Müller doubled the advantage on 20 minutes, stabbing into the roof of the net after Wojciech Szczesny stopped Daniel van Buyten's header.

Lukas Podolski halved the deficit for an improved Arsenal after the break, before Mario Mandzukic restored Bayern's two-goal advantage. The second leg takes place at the Allianz Arena on 13 March. MORE

Rose convinced of Match Play upsets

Justin Rose believes this weekend's Accenture Match Play Championship is unlikely to go to form. "If the top four advanced to the semis here we'd all be in disbelief," the Briton said of the Tucson event. MORE

Nani still wants to leave Old Trafford

Manchester United midfielder Nani remains determined to leave Old Trafford this summer despite his starring role in Monday's victory over Reading. His failure to make the squad for last week's Champions League tie in Real Madrid only strengthened his desire to depart. MORE

Cardiff cut down as Tigers close the gap

Championship leaders Cardiff were surprisingly beaten 2-0 at home by Brighton last night, allowing Hull to close the gap to five points with a 2-0 win over Blackburn. Watford won 2-0 at Ipswich, while Crystal Palace beat Bristol City 2-1.

Youngs relishes England position

Ben Youngs admits he is relishing the freedom afforded him when he represents England. "I feel I can play it as I see it," the Leicester scrum-half said. "And back myself to do something different if it's on." MORE

Injured Azarenka pulls out of Dubai

A foot injury yesterday forced Victoria Azarenka to withdraw from the Dubai Duty Free Championships – the second year in a row that the Belarusian has pulled out before her first match at the event. MORE

Trott's England place under threat

England's Jonathan Trott finds his place under threat as the One-Day International series in New Zealand continued today. There are calls for Eoin Morgan to bat higher than No 5 even though that is his preferred spot.

Moutinho gives Porto advantage

Joao Moutinho's finish shortly after the interval gave Porto a 1-0 win in the first leg of the Champions League round-of-16 tie against Malaga. The midfielder converted Alex Sandro's cross as the dominant hosts earned a deserved lead to take to Spain next month.

On His Own lays National marker

On His Own set the cat among the Aintree pigeons yesterday by contriving to win his comeback race at Navan. He travelled comfortably through heavy ground to enhance his prospects for the Grand National. MORE

Career Services

Day In a Page

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Edward VIII’s phone calls - and how MI5 bugged them

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Sent down at the Old Bailey: A tour of the world's most famous court

Sent down at the Old Bailey

A tour of the world's most famous court
Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

Hollywood's random acts of red-carpet kindness

The Hangover actor Zach Galifianakis’s date for his movie premieres isn’t arm candy  – it’s his 87-year-old friend who he saved from homelessness
British football scores an own goal

British football scores an own goal

Many managers barely survive a year in post. Martin Baker talks to experts who make a case for clubs using forensic business skills to find the best staff
James Lawton: Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again

James Lawton

Sergio Garcia cracks as major fault line opens up again
Dylan Hartley: Northampton have spent the season proving all our critics wrong

Dylan Hartley talks tough

Northampton have spent the season proving all our critics wrong
Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

Watch out Watford: Here comes the secretive Bilderberg Group

A meeting of global power brokers in a Hertfordshire hotel is exciting conspiracy theorists, but what are they really about?
'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system': Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console

'The ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system'

Microsoft finally unveils its Xbox ONE console
Plenty of Fish dating site founder pulls 'Intimate Encounters' option to ward off sleazy men

Plenty of sleaze

Dating website pulls intimate 'hook-up' section to curb harassment
Inferno author Dan Brown 'honoured' to be invited to join the Freemasons

The Freemasons’ Code

Dan Brown reveals the message that told him door to the lodge is open
Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Not secure any more: G4S boss heads for exit at last

Nick Buckles survived the Olympics débâcle and a £5bn bid fiasco but a profit warning finally triggered his downfall
How to say ‘I’m a sellout’: Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar

How to say ‘I’m a sellout’

Tumblr’s David Karp’s message of reassurance to his staff sounded very familiar
Why clubs are keen to take a stand

Why clubs are keen to take a stand

There's a real desire around the grounds for safe standing. But will the authorities listen?
In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

In the end the fans decided Tony Pulis had made a pig's ear of the job at Stoke City

Disillusion with a siege mentality and negative playing style made change inevitable
James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

James Lawton: The James Hunt I knew is the subject of a new F1 movie

British driver was fascinating man whose epic duel with Niki Lauda in 1976 was typical of an era of glamour and glory – but also the ever-present threat of death