The Sport Matrix: Tuesday 17 February 2015

Mourinho: Costa won’t be at his best

Jose Mourinho fears Chelsea will not see the best of Diego Costa against PSG in the Champions League tonight because the striker has lost his edge after his three-game FA ban for stamping on Martin Skrtel. Mourinho, who confirmed Costa will start the fixture, said: “A little rest is welcome for everyone, a big rest doesn’t make good for the players. So we are not going to see the best Diego.”

Russell and Papé cited for foul play

Scotland fly-half Finn Russell has been cited for a tackle on Wales’ Dan Biggar in their Six Nations encounter. France lock Pascal Papé has also been cited for the knee to the back on Ireland No 8 Jamie Heaslip, who is expected to be out of action for around four weeks.

Sherwood vows to make Villa exciting

Tim Sherwood promised to deliver exciting football as he was unveiled as Aston Villa’s new manager yesterday. “I’m the headmaster now,” Sherwood quipped, adding: “Every club needs excitement, the fans pay their money and we need to give them that.”

Basketball Westbrook the Western hero in stellar show

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook scored 41 points as the Western Conference beat the East 163-158 in the highest-scoring All-Star Game in NBA history.

Point guard Westbrook showed off his athleticism with a series of high-flying dunks, once slamming home an alley-oop pass from Chris Paul with his head above the rim.

Having set a first-half scoring record with 27 points in just over 11 minutes, Westbrook went on to hit 16 of 28 shots, most from above the rim and was named the game’s MVP. He came within one point of the All-Star record 42 points scored by Wilt Chamberlain in 1962.

Ireland win leaves questions for ICC

Ireland’s captain, William Porterfield, suggested the ICC should give them more fixtures, after earning a win over West Indies. “We’ve played nine ODIs against top-eight teams in the last four years, which is frustrating, and then we come here and show what we can do,” he said.