The Sport Matrix: Monday 20 August 2012

City recover to beat stubborn Saints after Aguero scare

Manchester City opened their title defence with a 3-2 home victory over Southampton, but await updates on what could be a serious knee injury suffered by Sergio Aguero. Rickie Lambert and Steven Davis put the visitors 2-1 ahead after Carlos Tevez's opener, only for Edin Dzeko, above, and Samir Nasri to restore City's advantage and secure the points. MORE

Wigan fail to heed Hazard signs

Eden Hazard enjoyed a productive league debut for Chelsea, setting up two goals inside the first 10 minutes to help his new side to a 2-0 victory at Wigan. The Belgian fed Branislav Ivanovic for the opener before winning a penalty which Frank Lampard converted. MORE

United await news on Ferdinand scan

Rio Ferdinand has been ruled out of Manchester United's season opener at Everton tonight with a groin injury, amid fears the England centre-back could be out for a month. Michael Carrick will fill in tonight, while Robin van Persie may make his debut. MORE

Laudrup learns from homework

Michael Laudrup, the Swansea manager, claims his knowledge of the Spanish game helped him identify Michu as a key signing. "I saw Michu for 25 games last season," Laudrup said after the midfielder's two goals at QPR. "He already fits in with the mentality of the team." MORE

Late wickets leave England on brink

England are almost certain to lose their No 1 status after losing two late wickets against South Africa. Chasing 346 for the win that would see them hold on to top spot, Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook went cheaply to leave England on 16-2 at stumps at Lord's. MORE

Golden duck adds to Pietersen woes

Kevin Pietersen was dismissed first ball for a duck playing for Surrey to cap a miserable few weeks. Dropped by England over text messages, the 32-year-old fell to Hampshire's Liam Dawson in the Clydesdale Bank 40 match. MORE

Wiggins: Cavendish may need to depart

Bradley Wiggins has admitted team-mate Mark Cavendish may need to leave Team Sky to fulfil his ambitions. "I have enjoyed riding with him," Wiggins, below, said of his compatriot. "[But] for his own career, I understand why he has to [leave]."MORE

Bradford ease past poor Huddersfield

Bradford were far too good for Huddersfield at the Galpharm Stadium, easing to a 34-12 victory to move into the play-offs. Karl Pryce went over twice for the financially troubled side, who could learn more about their future tomorrow. MORE

Pocock suffers knee injury scare

Australia captain David Pocock is in danger of missing next weekend's Bledisloe Cup match with New Zealand after suffering a knee injury against the same side at the weekend. The flanker has undergone a scan to assess the damage. MORE

Opinion: Sam Wallace

Football draws its players from some of the lowest-income communities in the country and as such will reflect some of the problems, as well as the strengths, of those communities. MORE

Turner rides to Arlington success

Hayley Turner continued to cement her growing reputation in the sport, riding I'm A Dreamer to success in Illinois on Saturday to become the first woman to win Arlington's Group One Beverly D Stakes. MORE