The Sport Matrix: Friday 30 August 2013

Everton turn down second joint bid for Baines and Fellaini

Everton have rejected a second joint bid from Manchester United for Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, the fourth in total for the fullback, valued at a total of around £38m, with the transfer stand-off now set to go into the last weekend of the window.
Baines, pictured, 28, has asked the club to negotiate a deal with United in meetings with the manager, Roberto Martinez, and another with the chairman, Bill Kenwright, that have taken place over the summer.
Baines wants the transfer to go ahead and Everton are well aware of his state of mind on the subject.
Yesterday, Martinez denied in his morning press conference that Baines had asked him or the club to do a deal with United, but refused to elaborate on the issue any further. An Everton spokesman said that the club’s official position was no different to that of their manager.
The United offer for Baines is the latest in a series of bids for the player over the summer of £9m and £12m and then the offer worth up to £30m for both the England international and Fellaini. MORE

Greenway seals double series win

Like the men, England have won the Women’s Ashes after beating Australia by five wickets in their second T20 match. Lydia Greenway scored an England T20 record of 80 not out off 64 deliveries after they had been reduced to 9 for 3, then chased down the required 128. MORE

Finch’s fireworks inspire Australia

Aaron Finch hit an astonishing 156 off 63 balls as Australia beat England by 39 runs in the first T20 match. Australia batted first and made 248 for 6 largely thanks to Finch’s knock. Joe Root impressed in the run-chase with 90 not out but England fell short on 209 for 6. MORE

Spurs and Swansea progress in Europe

Tottenham and Swansea will join Wigan in today’s draw for the Europa League group stage. Tottenham beat Dynamo Tbilisi 3-0 on the night and 8-0 on aggregate in their play-off round second leg, while Swansea survived a 2-1 loss to Petrolul Ploiesti to progress 6-3. MORE

Arsenal and Celtic given tough draws

Arsenal were handed a difficult start to their Champions League campaign yesterday as Arsène Wenger’s side were drawn with Marseilles, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli in Group F. Celtic face a huge task as well, being drawn with Barcelona, Milan and Ajax in Group H. MORE

Evans stuns Tomic to reach third round

Britain’s Dan Evans continued his stunning start to the US Open by beating Australian Bernard Tomic 1-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 last night to reach the third round. Andy Murray plays Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer in the second round today. MORE

Glover and Swann ease into final

Olympic champion Helen Glover and Polly Swann have eased into tomorrow’s final of the women’s pair at the World Championships in South Korea, winning their semi-final with a three-second lead over Taylor Goetzinger and Meghan Musnicki. MORE

Eto’o reunited with Mourinho at Blues

Samuel Eto’o has joined Chelsea from the Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala. The 32-year-old Cameroon striker has signed a one-year deal to be reunited with manager Jose Mourinho, whom he played under at Internazionale. MORE

Jose and Guardiola meet in Super Cup

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho insisted his relationship with Bayern Munich’s Pep Guardiola is not the issue before tonight’s Super Cup. “This is not about me and Pepe. It’s about Chelsea and it’s about Bayern Munich,” Mourinho said. MORE

Hartley: This is my last chance

Dylan Hartley, who called referee Wayne Barnes a “cheat” during last season’s Premiership final, knows he is uncertain of an England future. “I’m on my last chance [with England],” he said. “That’s understood.” MORE

Rafael Benitez

Chelsea’s former manager explains why Manuel Pellegrini’s Manchester City are his team to watch in the Premier League this season – not least because of their Spanish signings. MORE