The Sports Matrix: Thursday 22 December 2011

Aguero strikes twice to help City shoot down Stoke

Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City beat Stoke 3-0 at the Etihad Stadium last night to stay top of the table. Aguero broke the deadlock in the 29th minute. Yaya Touré crossed to Vincent Kompany, whose first-time flick was parried by Thomas Sorensen and went straight to the Argentine who bundled in. Seven minutes later Adam Johnson fired home from 25 yards out and Aguero scored his second nine minutes after the interval. MORE

Sponsors shun Terry over charge

John Terry's sponsor Umbro has distanced itself from the defender by removing images of him on its website. Terry faces court on 1 February after being charged with "a racially aggravated public order offence" for allegedly abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand. MORE

Modric's move to Chelsea 'dead'

Harry Redknapp denies that Luka Modric could still transfer to Chelsea. "He isn't going to Chelsea in January, not a chance. It's dead now," said the Tottenham manager, whose side are two points clear of Chelsea and host Andre Villas-Boas's team tonight. MORE

United reign at Craven Cottage

Manchester United kept up the pressure on leaders Manchester City by thrashing Fulham 5-0 at Craven Cottage. Danny Welbeck, Nani and Ryan Giggs all struck in the first half before Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov completed the rout after the break. MORE

Benayoun heads Arsenal to victory

Yossi Benayoun struck as Arsenal beat Aston Villa 2-1. Robin Van Persie scored an early penalty and Marcus Albrighton equalised with the league's 20,000th goal before Benayoun headed in Van Persie's cross in the 87th minute. Villa's Alan Hutton was sent off. MORE

Scharner strikes for West Bromwich

Paul Scharner gave West Bromwich a 3-2 win at Newcastle. Demba Ba had twice equalised for the hosts after Peter Odemwingie and then Gareth McAuley had put Albion ahead, before Scharner converted Odemwingie's headed pass in the 85th minute. MORE

Brown sees Sunderland home

Wes Brown's late goal earned Sunderland a 3-2 win at QPR. Heidar Helguson and Jamie Mackie scored for the hosts to cancel out Sunderland goals from Nicklas Bendtner and Stéphane Sessègnon, before Brown headed in with one minute left. MORE

Osman ensures Everton prevail

Everton beat Swansea City 1-0 at Goodison Park courtsey of Leon Osman's glancing header on the hour-mark. Liverpool, meanwhile, were held to a goalless draw at Wigan, with the hosts' goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi saving a penalty from Charlie Adam. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

The confidence of the CPS that a conviction can be obtained against John Terry when he goes to court in February is guaranteed to escalate the controversy that has erupted in the wake of the Luis Suarez racism verdict. MORE