The Sport Matrix: Monday 17 February 2014

Arsenal get revenge over Liverpool

Goals early in either half from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Lukas Podolski helped Arsenal avenge last week's league thrashing at Liverpool as they overcame the Merseyside club 2-1 to reach the last eight of the FA Cup. Steven Gerrard scored a consolation penalty. MORE

Porter raises hope of Steel City derby

League One side Sheffield United overcame the odds again to shock Nottingham Forest, of the Championship, 3-1 and make the last eight of the FA Cup. Chris Porter scored twice to take the Blades through to a potential meeting with neighbours Wednesday. MORE

Rutherford pleased to ‘shut up’ critics

Olympic champion Greg Rutherford hopes his comeback in Saturday’s Indoor Grand Prix can “shut up” his critics. “Hopefully, this will start to silence a few people,” the long jumper said, “when they realise I can still compete.”

Everton ease into FA Cup last eight

Everton made the sixth round of the FA Cup for the fourth time in six seasons as they overcame an under-strength Swansea 3-1 at Goodison Park. Lacina Traoré scored on his debut and, despite Jonathan De Guzman’s leveller, goals from Steven Naismith and Leighton Baines took the Toffees through. MORE

Hoops given right Royal reckoning

QPR’s automatic promotion hopes took a further blow yesterday as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Reading. Daniel Williams, Alex Pearce and Garath McCleary struck to enhance the visitors’ play-off hopes and leave QPR four points off second. MORE

Cole blow hampers England ambitions

England’s Six Nations hopes were dealt a damaging blow last night when Dan Cole was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a neck injury. Stuart Lancaster’s side welcome Ireland to Twickenham this weekend, having won one and lost one of their games so far.

Tigers recover to maintain title hopes

Champions Leicester kept their Premiership title hopes alive as they came from behind to beat Gloucester 11-8. Charlie Sharples put the visitors in front early in the second half before Matthew Tait and Toby Flood swung the match toward the Tigers. MORE

Opinion: Sam Wallace

Beating Lionel Messi’s Barcelona is the gold standard baccalaureate for elite European clubs. If you aspire to be the best you have to do it at some point. Yet Manchester City have nothing to fear. MORE

GB medal hope knocked out

British freestyle skier Rowan Cheshire was yesterday knocked unconscious in training, putting her place in Thursday’s ski half-pipe in jeopardy. Two other snowboarders were also carried off the course yesterday, the day after Russia’s Maria Komissarova broke her back. MORE

Noble relief as Salford hang on

A nervous Salford coach Brian Noble admitted his nerves as his revamped team hung on to open their Super League campaign with an 18-14 win over Wakefield. “I was biting my fingernails,” he said as Jake Mullaney’s three conversions proved the difference.