The Sport Matrix: Tuesday 13 January 2015

Sanchez... signing of the season?

Alexis Sanchez has been involved in 19 of Arsenal’s 37 Premier League goals this season. His work-rate is an example to his team-mates, while he is quicker and more skilful than Carlos Tevez. For those reasons - and there are more -the Chilean is a strong candidate to be the signing of the season. The Gunners have longed for a world-class talent, and Jack Pitt-Brooke believes they finally have one.

Flexibility key for Sam and West Ham

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce claims he is more “flexible” in his tactics than Everton counterpart Roberto Martinez. The Premier League sides meet in an FA Cup third-round replay at Upton Park tonight and are experiencing contrasting seasons. “Roberto, like every other manager, has his own style,” Allardyce said. “I’m a little bit more flexible than Roberto – he is a total believer in one style.”

Manning may call it a day after defeat

The 24-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts that shattered another season’s worth of Super Bowl dreams for the Denver Broncos could have a big say on quarter-back Peyton Manning’s future, with the record-breaker still undecided. “My mindset right now is just disappointment,” he said. “I kind of need to process this game and we’ll meet tomorrow. I guess I just can’t give that simple answer. I’m processing it.”

England level after power cut

It was a case of lights out for Jamaica after a power cut helped England to level their tour series 1-1 in Kingston yesterday.

The score was 55-47 to the visitors in the final quarter when the power failed inside the National Indoor Sports Centre, forcing the umpires to declare the match as a result.

England will have a chance to secure the series in tomorrow’s decider ahead of the World Cup in Australia in August.

Wozniacki upbeat despite wrist injury

Caroline Wozniacki will fly to Melbourne tomorrow morning as she battles to prove her fitness for next week’s Australian Open.

The world number four forfeited her first round match against Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova at the Sydney International after injuring her wrist.