The Sport Matrix: Monday 24 February 2014

Rodgers: Chelsea way is not for me

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said that grinding out a title like Chelsea is a strategy the club will never employ under his leadership, following their thrilling 4-3 victory over Swansea at Anfield. Rodgers added: “I worry always to play good football.” MORE

Lawes: Line-outs vital against Wales

Courtney Lawes believes England’s strong line-out will count in their favour against Wales. “Certainly, ours and Ireland’s are the top line-outs and we need to use that going into the Wales game,” said the 25-year-old lock. MORE

Sprinter Sacre to miss Cheltenham

Sprinter Sacre, the two-mile champion chaser, was last night ruled out of the defence of his crown at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, less than 48 hours after the most recent favourable update from his stable. MORE

Joy for Pardew as Rémy hits winner

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew praised the St James’ Park support after Loic Remy scored an injury time goal to seal a 1-0 win over Aston Villa. “This stadium is like a breathing, living animal,” said Pardew. “We needed it to come alive to help us.” MORE

Dunbar: Scotland must improve

Alex Dunbar feels Scotland need to improve despite their last-kick win over Italy. “Now it is about finding consistency in other areas,” Dunbar said after the 21-20 win in Rome. “There were things against Italy that didn’t work well.” MORE

Snodgrass strike lifts Hughton spirit

Robert Snodgrass scored the only goal as Norwich earned a crucial 1-0 home victory over Tottenham to ease the pressure on manager Chris Hughton. Snodgrass’s curled effort two minutes into the second half lifted Norwich to 14th in the table. MORE

Zubkov completes Russia’s gold rush

Alexander Zubkov added the four-man bobsleigh crown to his two-man title he won last week to collect Russia’s 13th gold medal on the final day of the Sochi Winter Games, ensuring the host nation topped the medals table. MORE

Opinion: Sam Wallace

Is Rooney worth his salary? He has been accused of failing to deliver on his early promise. Back he comes, time and again. And he may break Bobby Charlton’s scoring records for club and country. MORE

Hodgson pleased with route to Euros

England were handed a straightforward task in qualifying for the 2016 European Championship, being drawn with Switzerland, Slovenia, Estonia, Lithuania and San Marino in Group E. “I’m very satisfied, in particular for the fans,” said England manager Roy Hodgson. MORE

Jackson’s crew falls short in bobsleigh

John Jackson fell 0.11sec short of snatching the medal that would have made these Britain’s most successful Winter Olympics. Jackson’s four-man bobsleigh crew failed to add a fifth medal, finishing fifth at the Sanki Sliding Centre yesterday. MORE