The Sport Matrix: Wednesday 29 January

Liverpool run riot against Everton as United take points

Liverpool thrashed Everton 4-0 in the Merseyside derby. Daniel Sturridge struck twice but missed his chance to record a hat-trick by blazing a penalty over the bar. Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez also scored.

Manchester United, meanwhile, beat Cardiff 2-0, with Robin Van Persie and Ashley Young (above) scoring the goals. MORE

Arsenal and Saints share the spoils

Leaders Arsenal dropped crucial points in the title race and had Mathieu Flamini sent off for a two-footed lunge as they were held to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Southampton. Norwich and Newcastle drew 0-0, with both sides finishing with 10 men at Carrow Road. MORE

Palace pull clear as Fulham lose again

Crystal Palace moved five points clear of the relegation zone after beating 10-man Hull 1-0, Jason Puncheon scoring the only goal. Fulham’s problems worsened with a 2-0 away defeat to Swansea. Jonjo Shelvey and Chico found the net for Michael Laudrup’s team. MORE

Sherwood defends Spurs formation

Tottenham’s head coach, Tim Sherwood, defended his use of a so-called “unfashionable” 4-4-2 formation ahead of tonight’s home league game against Manchester City. “It was never out of fashion in my eyes,” Sherwood said of 4-4-2. “Players win games, not formations.” MORE

Mourinho: Hazard can be the best

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes Eden Hazard can challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or in the future. He said: “If he wants to be a great, great player and arrive where Cristiano and Messi arrived, he has the space to go [challenge them].” MORE

Gatland spoilt for choice in treble bid

Warren Gatland is spoilt for choice as his near full-strength Wales side seek to win their third straight Six Nations. Sam Warburton is set to start Saturday’s match with Italy from the bench, with Alun Wyn Jones taking over the captaincy. MORE

Vunipola excited over France test

Forward Billy Vunipola is eager to impress in England’s Six Nations game away to France on Saturday. He said: “This will be a hard game, but growing up you always watched matches like this, wishing you were out there.” MORE

Poyet incensed by Stoke’s intentions

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet has criticised Stoke City over their courtship of Lee Cattermole and Steven Fletcher before tonight’s league game between the two clubs. With understatement, Poyet called Stoke’s interest “a little bit disappointing”. MORE

Oviedo’s surgery a ‘big success’

Everton’s Bryan Oviedo has undergone an operation on the double leg fracture he suffered during the FA Cup win at Stevenage. And according to Everton’s head of medical services, Danny Donachie: “Bryan’s surgery was a big success.” MORE

Hamilton upbeat despite crashing

Lewis Hamilton described crashing his new Mercedes on day one of pre-season testing in Spain as merely “a hiccup”. He added: “Apart from the ending [the crash] it has generally been quite a positive day.” MORE

Broad ambition

England’s T20 captain Stuart Broad hopes England can salvage pride in the T20 series with Australia, which starts today. He said: “There is a real hunger in this group to finish this tour well.” MORE