The Sport Matrix: Friday 14 February 2014

Brilliant Yarnold on course for skeleton gold

Lizzy Yarnold takes a lead worth nearly half a second over the American Noelle Pikus-Pace into tonight’s final two runs of the skeleton competition.

The 25-year-old performed brilliantly yesterday, clocking 58.43 and 58.46 for a combined time of 1:56.89, to lead by 0.44 seconds. It means Yarnold is on course for a British gold, only the 10th in the 90 years of the Winter Olympics. “It’s going to give Lizzy so much confidence,” said Amy Williams, who won this event four years ago, of Yarnold’s runs. “There is no reason she can’t win gold.”

Britain’s Shelley Rudman, the 2006 silver medallist, ended the day 11th. MORE

Christie apologises for starting pile-up

Elise Christie apologised for instigating the pile-up that led to three of the four finalists in the 500m short-track speed skating end up in a heap before the first lap was even completed. Christie finished second but moments later was disqualified. MORE

England women to have full-time side

England’s women cricketers are to become the highest-paid female team athletes in the country under a landmark new deal. In effect, the top 10 or 11 players have been made full-time professionals, earning around £40,000 a year. MORE

Murray labours to win over Thiem

Andy Murray progressed to the quarter-finals of the ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam last night, beating Austrian Dominic Thiem 6-4 3-6 6-3, but the two-time Grand Slam winner looked unconvincing against the world No 113. Murray faces Marin Cilic next.

St Helens make winning start

St Helens began their Super League campaign with a comfortable 38-8 victory away at Warrington Wolves last night. Luke Walsh impressed, scoring one of St Helens’ six tries and kicking seven goals. MORE

Froch v Groves II given green light

Carl Froch and George Groves have agreed to a rematch following their controversial super-middleweight title fight in November. The bout will be on 31 May, when Froch’s IBF and WBA titles will again be at stake. MORE

Newcastle hurtling towards trouble

Newcastle appear to be in freefall after their 4-0 loss to Spurs. Owner Mike Ashley was absent from the game, and there is still no managing director, following the resignation of Derek Llambias. MORE

Rodgers looks to iron out errors

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has voiced frustration with his side’s poor defending, with two sloppy goals conceded in the 3-2 win at Fulham. Rodgers rued the “mistakes and individual errors that have cost us”. MORE

Powell aware of owner’s demands

Charlton manager Chris Powell admits he must win over the new owner Roland Duchâtelet. Ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth-round game at Sheffield Wednesday, Powell said: “I’m not naïve, but at the moment I’m fine.” MORE

Steve Bunce

James “Buster” Douglas shocked the boxing world by defeating Mike Tyson in 1990, becoming the heavyweight champion of the world – as well as putting them both on a path to destruction. MORE