The Sport Matrix: Friday 6 February 2015

Pochettino asks for unity at Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has called on the club’s supporters not to boo Emmanuel Adebayor during tomorrow’s derby visit of Arsenal. “It is important that the fans forget the past,” the Argentine said of previous criticism of the club’s fans by the forward. “He explained why he made the comments. Now, all together, we need to try to get the success.”

Clarke takes step on road to recovery

Michael Clarke made a successful appearance for a Cricket Australia XI as he continued his comeback from hamstring surgery yesterday. The 33-year-old was in the field for 32 overs and batted for almost an hour against a Bangladesh XI in Brisbane. “The body feels good,” he said ahead of joining the World Cup squad. “I got a bit more treatment. The fortunate thing is I’ve got plenty of time.”

Everton to mark Hillsborough 96

Everton will unveil a plaque commemorating the 96 people who died at the Hillsborough disaster ahead of tomorrow’s derby with Liverpool at Goodison Park. The ceremony will be conducted by chairman Bill Kenwright and Margaret Aspinall, chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group. Aspinall, whose son James died in the tragedy on 15 April 1989, said: “This is a really lovely gesture from Everton.”

Nothing but a UCLA thing for Snoop’s son

Cordell Broadus has pulled a double move on his famous rapper father Snoop Dogg.

Broadus, a wide receiver from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, signed with UCLA instead of his father’s favourite team. Snoop Dogg had hoped his son would play for Southern California, but was still thrilled.

“Channel 21 comin to @UCLAFootball !! Proud of u @C-Broadus21 ! LA’s team!!” Snoop tweeted. Twenty-one is a reference to the number his son will wear for the team.

The UCLA coach, Jim Mora, says he originally offered a scholarship to the 6ft 3in and 13st 7lb Broadus when he was just 15 years old.

British pair share opening day lead

Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell shared the opening day lead at the Malaysian Open, the British pair both carding six-under 66s. Englishman Tommy Fleetwood sat a shot behind. “I’m pretty happy,” McDowell said. “I hit the ball great. I’ve liked the way this golf course looks.”