The Sports Matrix: Monday 25 April 2011

McGregor penalty save denies Celtic

An Allan McGregor penalty save from Celtic’s Georgios Samaras in the closing minutes helped Rangers draw 0-0 in the Old Firm derby at Ibrox. After a troubled build-up to the match, a heavy police presence helped ensure there was no violence. MORE

Yorkshire fall to shock Dutch defeat

The Netherlands caused an upset on the opening day of the Clydesdale Bank 40 season, beating Yorkshire on the final ball. Despite posting just 190-8, the Dutch performed well with the ball, reducing Yorkshire to 79-7 before they ended on 188-9. MORE

Superb Selby has Hendry on brink

World No 3 Mark Selby became the first player to make six centuries in a 25-frame match as he surged to a 12-5 lead over Stephen Hendry in the second round of the World Championship at the Crucible yesterday. MORE

Mancini tells City to learn from defeat

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has urged his side to heed lessons learnt from their poor display in the 3-0 loss at Liverpool this month. “We must remember,” he said ahead of tonight’s trip to Blackburn. “We have to do better than that.” MORE

Westwood win puts England on top

Lee Westwood’s victory in the Indonesian Masters ensured and Englishman is World No 1. The 38-year-old beat Thongchai Jaidee by three shots but he was awaiting the performance of Luke Donald at The Heritage to see if he would regain No 1 spot. MORE

Fanatical support drives up prices

Despite the recession, seat occupancy remains above 90 per cent. But since fans still pay through the nose to watch bread-and-butter games is it so obscene that FA Cup finals attract a premium? At least the money doesn’t go into players’ pockets. MORE

Sarries maintain upward momentum

Saracens recorded a ninth straight victory and moved to within a point of leaders Leicester as they stormed to a 35-12 victory over Gloucester at Vicarage Road. Steve Borthwick’s side scored four tries, while Alex Goode klcked 15 points. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Javier Hernandez’s strike against Everton was inevitably overshadowed by Fernando Torres’ return from the wilderness but the odds still favour the idea that it was the Mexican who performed the act of greater significance. MORE

Wenger admits Arsenal’s failings are his own fault

Arsène Wenger yesterday accepted the blame for Arsenal’s failings in the title race after they crashed to a 2-1 defeat at Bolton. Tamir Cohen’s last minute header condemned the London side to a first League defeat since December, leaving them nine points adrift of Manchester United and three behind second-placed Chelsea. “If anyone is to blame, it is me,” the Frenchman said. “I pick the team, I choose the players. When you don’t win, you are questioned about your principles. We try to play football the proper way. If something is wrong, it is not the principles.” Midfielder Cohen marked his winner by revealing a T-shirt with an image of his late father Avi, who died in December after a motorbike accident. Robin van Persie had earlier equalised Daniel Sturridge’s first-half opener for the hosts. MORE

Real and Barcelona warm up with wins

Real Madrid and Barcelona both prepared for Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg with La Liga wins. Barça overcame Osasuna 2-0, including a 50th goal of the season for Lionel Messi, while Real Madrid triumphed 6-3 at Valencia.

Moody comeback boosts England

Lewis Moody dismissed fears that his knee injury could prevent him from participating in England’s World Cup preparations. “The knee is 100 per cent,” the 32-year-old said after making his first start since January in Bath’s 43-10 win over Wasps. MORE