The Sport Matrix: Thursday 26 September 2013

Hernandez takes United through as Suarez returns

A goal from Javier Hernandez early in the second half was enough to give Manchester United a 1-0 victory over Liverpool last night in the third round of the Capital One Cup.

The Mexico international showed great movement to guide in Wayne Rooney's corner 39 seconds after half-time to take the gloss off Luis Suarez's return from a 10-game ban. The Liverpool forward hit the crossbar with a free-kick in the final 20 minutes but United held on.

"The noise from the fans was amazing," United defender Chris Smalling said. "There was a lot of doubt after the weekend [United losing 4-1 at Manchester City] so we had to go out and get a performance and we did. It felt like it was end to end for pretty much 90 minutes. A real cup tie." MORE

Holders Swansea sent crashing out

The Capital One Cup holders, Swansea, fell at the first hurdle of their defence as they were beaten 3-1 at Championship Birmingham. Dan Burn, Matt Green and Tom Adeyemi struck for the hosts after the break before Wilfried Bony's late consolation. MORE

Newcastle and Stoke ease through

Newcastle United and Stoke both reached the fourth round after 2-0 wins over lower-league opposition. Newcastle overcame Leeds through goals from Papiss Cissé and Yoan Gouffran while Stephen Ireland and Peter Crouch helped Stoke win at Tranmere. MORE

Wiggins settles for time trial silver

Sir Bradley Wiggins remained philosophical after missing out on a first road world title in Florence yesterday. "There is always a tinge of disappointment," the Briton said after finishing second to German Tony Martin. "But you have to accept when you are beaten by a better athlete." MORE

My knee injury was genuine, says Cilic

Marin Cilic has dismissed suggestions he feigned a knee injury when withdrawing from Wimbledon this summer. "I aggravated it during my first match," the Croat, who is serving a nine-month drug suspension, said. "Further matches could risk a more serious injury." MORE

Wallabies facing nightmare future

Australia's problems have increased after Jake White walked out on leading provincial team the Brumbies after missing out on the Wallaby coaching job. The country's recent defeats also raise the growing possibility they could fail to reach the next World Cup's knockout stages. MORE

Game tainted as Lee pays the price

The figures involved in the Stephen Lee match-fixing case amount to as much as £105,000, almost £42,000 finding its way into a bank account in the name of Lee's wife. Even with the potential to earn twice that annually, the lure was too much. MORE

Lawrie baffled at Seve absentees

Paul Lawrie is baffled at the number of big-name absentees from next week's Seve Trophy, with Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood all opting out. "It's important," he said. "You're representing what [Seve] stood for. Most of us are playing because of what he did." MORE