The Sports Matrix: Wednesday 23 February 2011

Blackpool inhibit Spurs ambitions

Blackpool prevented Tottenham from moving into third with a 3-1 home win. Charlie Adam’s penalty put Blackpool ahead before D J Campbell scored just before halftime. Brett Ormerod made it 3-0 before Roman Pavlyuchenko’s late consolation goal. MORE

Wenger ‘enjoys’ busy schedule

Arsène Wenger has described squad rotation as “difficult but enjoyable”. Arsenal host Stoke City tonight, their first game in a run of five matches in 13 days, and Wenger believes that the chance to give the whole squad first-team games is positive. MORE

Hateley offered bribe to miss game

Former Rangers striker Mark Hateley has revealed he was offered cash not to play a crucial Champions League fixture against Marseilles in 1993. The French club was later stripped of their domestic title theywon that year because of match-fixing. MORE

Deschamps: United short of ‘fantasy’

The Marseilles coach, Didier Deschamps, said that this Manchester United team “maybe has a bit less fantasy” than some in the past, ahead of tonight’s tie between the two teams. He accepted that a 0-0 draw would be good for his team. MORE

Anelka double fires Chelsea ahead

Two goals from Nicolas Anelka gave Chelsea a crucial lead after their first leg away at FC Copenhagen. Carlo Ancelotti partnered Anelka with Fernando Torres, with Didier Drogba relegated to the bench. The approach was vindicated as Anelka put the visitors ahead after 17 minutes, intercepting a wayward back pass from former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer (right), before bursting past his defender and shooting into the far bottom corner. Chelsea created other first-half chances but most of them fell to Torres, who was still lacking sharpness in front of goal. Anelka scored his second early in the second half, receiving Lampard’s pass on the turn and again finishing powerfully low across Johan Wiland. After defending well in the second half, they take a strong advantage back to Stamford Bridge. MORE

Gomis levels late onfor Lyons

An equaliser from Bafetimbi Gomis denied Real Madrid a firstleg win in Lyons. Karim Benzema had put the visitors ahead soon after coming on as a second-half substitute. But Gomis volleyed Lyons level from close range with seven minutes left. MORE

Wilkinson keen to win back berth

Jonny Wilkinson has described having to win his place in the England team back from Toby Flood as “a big challenge”, but insisted that “it’s about continuing to learn, continuing to grow”. Flood will start against France, but Wilkinson may come on. MORE

Djokovic adds to his game in Dubai

Novak Djokovic believes that he will improve his game by coming to the net more often. “I’m working on that variety in my game,” said the Australian Open winner, who beat Michael Llodra 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Championship. MORE

Poulter questions early start time

Ian Poulter will begin his defence of the World Match Play tomorrow at 7.25am. “I guess I could be on an airplane by mid-afternoon,” he said of the chance of being knocked out. “How many people are going to be through the gates at that time?” he asked. MORE

Contador let off by negligence clause

Alberto Contador’s lawyer has said that his client’s suspension for doping was lifted because he ate contaminated steak. Andy Ramos revealed that if riders can prove there was no intentional negligence, as Contador did, they are freed of responsibility.

King hopes for Cheltenham glory

Alan King hopes to have a better Cheltenham Festival this year than last, and craves a winner. Medermit, one of the country’s top novice chasers, represents his best chance. “Deep down, I wasn’t really expecting a winner last year,” he admitted. MORE

England struggle to narrow victory

England won their opening game against Netherlands yesterday by six wickets, although they will be disappointed to have conceded 292, after some poor fielding, before 88 from Andrew Strauss helped see them home. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Fernando Torres, at his most imperious, would have buried the two chances that came to him in the first half but such peace of mind does not come easily when you are the poster boy for your oligarch boss’s cravings.