The Sports Matrix: Wednesday 21 September 2011

Narrow win spares Arsenal’s blushes

An understrength Arsenal side recovered from an early James Collins header to beat Shrewsbury 3-1 at the Emirates. Kieran Gibbs scored his first for the club before the interval, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Yossi Benayoun following suit later on. MORE

Murray’s moans continue a trend

Andy Murray’s schedule grievances continue the sport’s history of conflict between players and tournaments since the beginning of the Open era in 1968. The record amount of retirements at the US Open also highlighted the sport’s growing demands. MORE

Wilkinson: We must cut out errors

Jonny Wilkinson has warned that England must cut out needless errors from their game if they are to progress in the tournament. “If you don’t get it right, sooner or later, ‘next week’ doesn’t happen for you,” the goal-kicker said. MORE

Bolton shock Villa as Newcastle win

Second-half goals from Chris Eagles and Gaël Kakuta helped Bolton record a fine 2-0 victory at Aston Villa, while Fabricio Coloccini scored a 120th-minute winner for Newcastle to help them squeeze past Nottingham Forest 4-3 after extra-time. MORE

Perfect Pooley storms to Bronze

Emma Pooley provided Great Britain with a wholly unexpected medal in the World Championships in Copenhagen yesterday, finishing third in the women’s time trial. “I’m thrilled to make it on to the podium,” the 28-year-old enthused. MORE

Noone seeking to raise Reds roof

Brighton winger Craig Noone, who was released by Liverpool at the age of 11 and once worked as a roofer on Steven Gerrard’s house, tonight faces his boyhood club in a third-round tie. “Games like this show how far I’ve come,” the 23-year-old said. MORE

Barclays withdraw Open sponsorship

The future of the Scottish Open has been thrown into doubt after Barclays opted against renewing their sponsorship of the event. The bank has left Open organisers needing to find an alternative backer willing to provide the £3m prize-money. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Russia scrum-half Alexander Yanyushkin can be added to the roll call of unlikely heroes. Not only did he score his nation’s first World Cup try, he also saved the International Rugby Board from a deep embarrassment. MORE

First-half blitz helps Man United outclass Leeds

Three first-half goals helped Manchester United ease past Leeds United 3-0 at Elland Road last night. Michael Owen put the Premier League leaders ahead on 15 minutes with an accurate finish before a fine second on the half-hour. Ryan Giggs then showed delightful footwork cutting in from the left wing to toe-poke United further ahead in added time. Sir Alex Ferguson made 11 changes from the side that beat Chelsea on Sunday, including four strikers and 19-year-old debutant Ezekiel Fryers partnering Michael Carrick at centreback. Simon Grayson’s Leeds side went close early on, only for the visitors to run in three without reply. The result helped Sir Alex Ferguson’s side avenge last January’s shock FA Cup defeat against the Yorkshire team. MORE

Villas-Boas retains faith in Lampard

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has insisted Frank Lampard remains an important part of the club’s plans. “Players of this stature don’t have to prove anything to anybody,” the coach said. “He will be a key player for the rest of the season.” MORE

Watson v Eubank bout remembered

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the end of Michael Watson’s boxing career. The 26-year-old was struck towards the end of a WBO title rematch with Chris Eubank and ended up spending 40 days in a coma. Steve Bunce recalls the night’s events. MORE