The Sport Matrix: Thursday 24 October 2013

Pulis in frame for Crystal Palace job as Holloway quits

Tony Pulis will be approached over the vacant Crystal Palace manager’s job after Ian Holloway (right) quit yesterday saying he was exhausted and no longer sure he was the right man to save the club, who are languishing in 19th in the Premier League.

Pulis will be spoken to in the next 24 hours by Palace co-chairman Steve Parish, who said the former Stoke City manager’s record of never having been relegated was a key factor in making him an attractive prospect for the club, who have three points from eight games.

Parish said: “I think Tony has never got relegated, has he? He’s out of work, got Premier League experience. Not a bad shout.”

Parish said he would potentially speak to former managers Steve Coppell and Neil Warnock about a director of football role.

He conceded the club had found themselves completely out of their depth in the summer after they were promoted via the play-offs and were faced with the prospect of strengthening their squad for life in the top flight. MORE

City win marred by racist chants

Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City beat CSKA Moscow 2-1 at Luzhniki Stadium. But the Group D game was overshadowed by the chilling sound of monkey chants directed at Yaya Touré coming from a section of CSKA Moscow fans during the second half. MORE

Rooney clears the air after United win

Wayne Rooney maintains he did not submit an official transfer request at Manchester United. After their 1-0 win over Real Sociedad, he said. “He’s [Sir Alex Ferguson] come back and corrected the story I put a transfer request in ... he’s gone back and proven I didn’t.” MORE

Ibrahimovic nets four in PSG win

Paris St-Germain thrashed Anderlecht 5-0 as Zlatan Ibrahimovic dazzled in the Group C game, scoring four goals. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, scored twice as Real Madrid beat Juventus 2-1 in Group B, with Gareth Bale used as a substitute. MORE

Torres hungry to score more goals

Fernando Torres hopes he can continue his scoring streak after his two goals in Chelsea’s 3-0 win at Schalke. “I’m feeling well,” said Torres, who is the top scorer among the strikers at Chelsea with four goals. “Hopefully it’s the start of many games in a row of scoring goals.” MORE

Cook to keep an eye on Panesar

England’s management will keep an eye on spin bowler Monty Panesar to ensure he is “looked after” throughout the Ashes tour. Captain Alastair Cook said he and coach Andy Flower had to be aware of keeping Panesar “on the right path”. MORE

Robshaw resumes England captaincy

Chris Robshaw will resume the England captaincy for the forthcoming Tests against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand. “Chris is fit, he’s in form and he was the stand-out candidate,” said head coach Stuart Lancaster. MORE

Hock: England out of order to drop me

Gareth Hock said he has been unfairly treated after being thrown out of England’s World Cup squad for breaking a curfew to go out for a drink. He overslept and missed a rehab session the next morning, but called his removal “out of order”. MORE

Froome ‘excited’ by 2014 Tour route

Chris Froome is unfazed by next year’s route for the Tour de France despite having to survive cobbles in the race’s first week. “It will make the race exciting,” said the title holder. The Tour will start in Leeds on 5 July, it has been announced. MORE

England women hold on for victory

England got their Tri-Series campaign off to a fine start with a 49-39 win over hosts South Africa. The Proteas got to within three goals at one stage, but the visitors regained control and held on.

Captain’s impact

Rugby Union Correspondent Chris Hewett assesses Chris Robshaw’s leadership qualities ahead of the autumn internationals – and asks if the flanker really is a top-quality breakaway forward. MORE