The Sport Matrix: Monday 18 February 2013

Benitez and Terry best of friends as Chelsea stroll

Rafael Benitez and John Terry have rubbished reports that the pair have fallen out over the Chelsea interim manager's recent non-selection of the injury-troubled captain.

Terry started yesterday's 4-0 FA Cup fourth-round replay victory over Brentford – scoring the final goal in the closing minutes – in only his fourth appearance since Benitez's arrival at Stamford Bridge.

"It is totally rubbish," said the Spaniard, above. "We didn't have any problem. We were talking just about football with the team." Former England captain Terry echoed Benitez's words: "The manager knows me and I want to play. I have been out for two or three months, but the other two [centre-backs] have been doing well. It's good to have competition."

Midfielders Juan Mata, Oscar and Frank Lampard also found the net after a goalless opening half against the League One side to take the holders through to a fifth-round tie at Championship Middlesbrough a week on Wednesday. A potential trip to Manchester United awaits the victors in the last eight. MORE

England collapse in opening ODI loss

England went 1-0 down in their three-match one-day series with New Zealand in Hamilton yesterday after losing their last six wickets for 38 runs. The hosts bowled England out for 258, a total they surpassed with seven balls to spare as they won by three wickets.

Froome puts down Le Tour marker

Briton Chris Froome hopes his victory in the Tour of Oman demonstrates his potential to win the Tour de France this summer. "It's showing that I'm worth backing," the Team Sky rider said. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Brentford argued not illegitimately that things might have been different if referee Neil Swarbrick had granted them the briefest advantage and allowed the goal of Marcello Trotta. MORE

Liverpool thrash a distracted Swansea

Liverpool enjoyed a comfortable 5-0 victory over Swansea at Anfield to move above the Welsh side in the Premier League. Philippe Coutinho scored his first for Liverpool as Swansea's manager, Michael Laudrup, rested players before next Sunday's Capital One Cup final. MORE

Leeds no match for rampant City

Manchester City coasted into the sixth round of the FA Cup as they overcame Leeds United 4-0 at the Etihad Stadium. Yaya Touré opened the scoring before Sergio Aguero (two) and Carlos Tevez secured a last-eight home tie with Barnsley next month. MORE

Magic McManaman is wizard for Wigan

A fine display from Callum McManaman helped Wigan into the sixth round of the FA Cup for only the second time in the club's history as they cantered to a 4-1 win at Huddersfield. Arouna Koné struck twice to book a trip to either Oldham or Everton next month. MORE

Aussies surge to sixth world title

Australia eased to a 114-run victory against West Indies in Mumbai to take the World Cup trophy for a sixth time. After Australia hit 259 for 7, the Windies struggled to put up any real opposition, eventually bowled out for 145. MORE

Henson shines but Sale take points

Gavin Henson impressed for London Welsh but was unable to prevent a 26-25 home defeat by Sale at the Kassam Stadium yesterday. Danny Cipriani scored 16 points to move the Sharks to within a point of their hosts in the table. MORE

Robson set for Dubai nightlife

Laura Robson takes on Yulia Putintseva in a night session match at the Dubai Championships tonight on the latest stop on her Middle East tour. The winner of the game is due to play world No 4, Agnieszka Radwanska, in the next round. MORE

Paula backs Mo for Marathon record

Paula Radcliffe believes Mo Farah is capable of breaking the London Marathon record when he attempts the full distance next year. "He's well capable of running a 2hr 4min marathon," she said. "We'll just have to see what he does." MORE