The Sports Matrix: Wednesday 28 March 2012

Kalou strikes to give Chelsea vital win over Benfica

The Chelsea caretaker manager, Roberto Di Matteo, expressed his delight with his side's 1-0 victory over Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final first-leg at the Estadio da Luz last night, Salomon Kalou scoring the vital away goal. "It's terrific, you couldn't have hoped for a better result," said Di Matteo. "[But] nothing is over. There is still another 90 minutes to play." In a tight match, Juan Mata was denied by the post after shooting from an acute angle and David Luiz made a goal-line clearance to deny Benfica's Oscar Cardozo. The deadlock was broken in the 75th minute, with Fernando Torres setting-up the goal. The Spaniard broke clear down the right and crossed for Kalou to prod past the Benfica goalkeeper, Artur. Elsewhere, Real Madrid beat Apoel Nicosia 3-0 in Cyprus. Karim Benzema scored twice in the second-half and Kaka also found the net. MORE

Tottenham and Everton through

Tottenham and Everton qualified for FA Cup semi-finals last night. Spurs will face Chelsea after beating Bolton 3-1 in a re-arranged quarter-final, while Everton won 2-0 at Sunderland in a quarter-final replay. They will play Liverpool. MORE

Bell laments England's collapse

Ian Bell was frustrated with England's collapse as Sri Lanka dismissed them for 193, in the second day of the first Test in Galle yesterday. "It was disappointing not to back up our bowlers," said Bell, who scored 52. The hosts closed on 84 for 5, 209 runs ahead. MORE

West Ham see off Peterborough

Ricardo Vaz Te and Gary O'Neil scored the goals for West Ham, the promotion hopefuls, to see off Peterborough. Elsewhere, Middlesbrough drew 1-1 with Ipswich and relegation-threatened Portsmouth proved too strong for Hull, winning 2-0.

Ibrahimovic may not shake hands

Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic may not shake hands with former manager Pep Guardiola when his team meet Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-final tonight. "Will I extend my hand to Guardiola?" Ibrahimovic asked. "I don't know." MORE

Shearer: Hoddle ideal for England

Alan Shearer says Glenn Hoddle is a contender for the England manager's job, if Harry Redknapp is not appointed. "He was successful when he was manager," said Shearer, who played under Hoddle from 1996 to 1999. "On the pitch everyone liked him." MORE

Hartley hit with eight-week ban

Dylan Hartley has been given an eight-week ban for biting Ireland's Stephen Ferris during England's 30-9 Six Nations victory at Twickenham on 17 March. "I am disappointed by the result," the hooker said. The incident was not spotted by the referee. MORE

Murray will sit out Davis Cup match

Britain will again be without the services of Andy Murray when they take on Belgium in the Davis Cup next week. Murray has told captain Leon Smith that he is unavailable for the 6-8 April tie in Glasgow, as the dates conflict with his tour schedule. MORE

Bulls ask fans for urgent £500,000

Bradford Bulls are set to go out of business unless they can raise £1m. The Bulls said yesterday that unless supporters came up with half of that amount by early next month, the Good Friday derby against Leeds could be the last match at Odsal. MORE

Feature: Bayern Munich

Jupp Heynckes' side have been on a remarkable run recently, responding to accusations that their season was drifting beyond their control they have produced three furious displays, yielding 20 goals in total. MORE