The Sport Matrix: Monday 23 February 2015

Candreva goal celebration ends in tears

The Lazio midfielder Antonio Candreva smacked his knee into a metal fence and had to go off injured after scoring the winner in the 2-1 victory against Palermo in Serie A yesterday as his goal celebration went wrong.

After firing into the top corner, Candreva rushed towards the fans in the Curva Nord and tried to leap up on to the perimeter fence to celebrate with them.

Instead, he slid awkwardly into the fence, his right knee taking the brunt of the impact.

Not realising he was hurt, his team-mates leapt on top of him as he lay on the ground before he limped off injured shortly afterwards.

“He’s fine. He had to go and celebrate with the fans,” said the Lazio coach, Stefano Pioli.

India ‘embarrass’ rivals South Africa

South Africa’s captain, A B de Villiers, lamented his side’s display as they fell to a 130-run defeat by India at the World Cup. India made 307 for 7, with Shikhar Dhawan hitting 137, before South Africa managed just 177 in reply. “It’s almost embarrassing,” said De Villiers.

Leicester climb to sixth with victory

An injury-hit Leicester claimed a 12-6 win over London Irish to strengthen their hopes of finishing in the Premiership top four. Props Marcos Ayerza and Logovi’i Mulipola shone for Leicester, who scored through Freddie Burns’ two penalties and a drop-goal, while David Mélé also posted a penalty as Leicester rose to sixth.

Rooney: United must bounce back

Wayne Rooney has warned Manchester United that another slip-up could cost them a Champions League return. United’s top-four hopes were dealt a blow on Saturday as Swansea City completed their first league double over them. “We need to hit back next week. It is a must-win game,” said captain Rooney of their Premier League encounter with Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Villa loss hits Sherwood hard

Aston Villa’s new manager Tim Sherwood admitted that suffering a last-gasp defeat to Stoke in his first game in charge on Saturday was one of the worst feelings he had known in football. “Yeah, I’m low,” he said, adding: “It’s a confidence thing. We need to improve.”