The Sport Matrix: Monday 19 August 2013

Mourinho begins with a win to bring buzz back to Bridge

Jose Mourinho believes the atmosphere being created at Chelsea is testament to owner Roman Abramovich’s 10 years at the club, as the Portuguese entertainer made a winning return to the Premier League in his first game back

as manager.

Goals from Oscar and Frank Lampard gave Chelsea a 2-0 win over Hull City at Stamford Bridge despite Lampard missing an early penalty after goalkeeper Allan McGregor had brought down Fernando Torres.

A rare public message from Abramovich in the match-day programme read: “We have had a great decade together and the club could not have achieved it all without you. Thanks for your support, here’s to many more years of success.”

Mourinho, above, said: “I think you can see by the match-day programme what Chelsea did in the last 10 years. It’s great, especially for the players, to feel the atmosphere around.

“To have Mr Abramovich coming from his holiday to be with the team meant a lot. We are together and know where we want to go.” MORE

Soldado goal gives Spurs opening win

Roberto Soldado scored on his Tottenham debut as Crystal Palace were beaten 1-0 on their return to the Premier League at Selhurst Park. The £26m record signing sent goalkeeper Julian Speroni the wrong way after Palace’s Dean Moxey had handled in the area. MORE

Injury-hit Arsenal face European test

Arsenal must play the away leg of their Champions’ League play-off with Fenerbahce on Wednesday with a weakened side. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is out with a knee injury, while Bacary Sagna and Kieran Gibbs are both doubtful. MORE

Marquez wins to lengthen his lead

Spaniard Marc Marquez extended his lead at the top of the MotoGP World Championship with an impressive win at the Indianapolis Grand Prix. Britain’s Cal Crutchlow put in a battling display but finished fifth.

Bernstein: ‘Qatar 2022 needs rebid’

David Bernstein, the former FA chairman, says there should be a “rebidding process” for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar rather than it being moved to winter because of extreme heat. “My end view is either that it should be left where it is or there should be a rebidding process,” he said.

City prepare for Pellegrini reign

Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero has overcome a knee injury ahead of tonight’s match with Newcastle at the Etihad Stadium, but Matija Nastasic is out with an ankle problem. Newcastle striker Loïc Rémy is unavailable with a calf strain. MORE

GB men lose bronze after winning...

Great Britain’s men were stripped of their 4x100m relay bronze at the World Championships in Moscow yesterday after Harry Aikines-Aryeetey’s change with James Ellington took place outside the designated box. Aikines-Aryeetey said: “It is heart-breaking.” MORE

Black positive after reaching gold goal

UK Athletics performance director Neil Black believes Great Britain has every reason to feel positive after meeting the medal target of six set for the World Championships in Moscow. “I feel inherently positive and I’m not just saying that,” he said. MORE

Opinion: Sam Wallace

That first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce in Istanbul looms. “Spend some money” fans shouted at Arsène Wenger on Saturday, the cri de coeur of the Emirates years. MORE

... but women win bronze after losing

On a mixed day for Team GB Great Britain’s women’s 4x100m relay squad was promoted to bronze after the French team was disqualified last night. Britain had come fourth but were upgraded because the French exchanged the baton outside the changeover zone.

England may test unproven pair

Simon Kerrigan and Chris Woakes have been named in the England squad for the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at The Oval. Woakes and Kerrigan, both uncapped at Test level, join Chris Tremlett and Steven Finn in a 14-man squad. MORE