The Sport Matrix: Tuesday 11 March 2014

Wenger pleads for fair crack at miracle

Arsène Wenger wants referee Svein Oddvar Moen to give Arsenal a “fair chance” as they look to overturn a 2-0 first leg deficit in the Champions League last-16 tie with Bayern Munich tonight. He claims his side have been given too many red cards on big European nights.

Müller: Hoeness trial won’t affect us

Although Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness is facing a tax trial, midfielder Thomas Müller is confident his team will “shut out” off-pitch distractions against Arsenal tonight. “We will try to focus on the game,” he said. “I do not expect it to have a negative effect.”

Gosling admits FA betting charge

Newcastle midfielder Dan Gosling has admitted an FA misconduct charge relating to betting. The FA said Gosling had admitted “multiple breaches of Rule E8(b)”, a rule which prohibits players betting on competitions they have played in, or games they could have any influence on.

Sanderson goals put England in final

Lianne Sanderson kept England Women on course to defend their Cyprus Cup crown, netting both goals in a 2-0 win over Olympic bronze medal winners Canada in the Group A decider. They will face France in the final tomorrow after the 26-year-old’s first-half double.

Ruby ready to rule Cheltenham again

Ruby Walsh is the most successful jockey at the Cheltenham Festival – and he reported Champion Hurdle favourite Hurricane Fly in fine fettle after his morning run. Trainer Willie Mullins is 4-9 to win the trainer’s title.

England ring Bell after Root injury

Despite not playing a Twenty20 match for three years, Ian Bell has been called upon by England after Joe Root was ruled out of the tournament with a broken thumb. Bell may feature in the second T20 against the West Indies tonight.

Tuilagi could still play part in Italy

England’s starting line-up from the Sunday win over Wales may not change, but Stuart Lancaster believes Manu Tuilagi can make an impact in their Six Nations finale in Italy. “Manu is a squad option, we’re comfortable bringing him in,” he said.

Murray struggles past plucky Vesely

Andy Murray is through to the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells after beating Czech player Jiri Vesely in three sets. The Scot, who is still recovering from injury troubles, lost the first set before recovering to win 6-7, 6-4, 6-4.

Froch gives Groves a rematch shove

It took just 90 minutes to sell 60,000 tickets yesterday for the rematch between Carl Froch and George Groves at Wembley. The pair posed on the pitch at a press conference, with Froch pushing Groves.

Tim Rich

There were compelling reasons for Manuel Pellegrini and Martin Demichelis to enjoy a third spell together, but at 33, the centre-half is increasingly unreliable at Manchester City.