The Sports Matrix: Friday 18 March 2011

Kolarov’s goal in vain as City go out

Manchester City’s European campaign came to an end at Eastlands last night, despite a 1-0 victory over Dynamo Kiev. Aleksandar Kolarov’s first-half effort was not enough to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit, as City also had striker Mario Balotelli sent off. MORE

Johnson wary of Ireland backlash

England manager Martin Johnson haswarned Ireland will be looking to make amends for last weekend’s controversial defeat to Wales. “It’s a powerful thing, that emotion,” he said ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Dublin. “It makes Ireland dangerous.” MORE

Europe’s elite set to discover their fate

The eight remaining Champions League sides switch their attention to Switzerland today as the draw for the quarter-finals takes place. The first legs will be played on 5/6 April, with the return legs taking place a week later.

Liverpool exit to resilient Braga

Liverpool joined Manchester City in departing the Europa League after failing to overturn a 1-0 deficit in a goalless affair at Anfield last night. Martin Skrtel spurned the best chance as Braga, the Portuguese visitors, hung on to go through. MORE

Gatland recalls North to front line

Wales coach Warren Gatland has recalled Scarlets wing George North to the starting line-up to face France tomorrow. The 18-year-old replaces the injured Shane Williams. “George is a real quality player of the future,” Gatland said. MORE

Home defeat ends Rangers’ hopes

An early goal from Jeremain Lens was enough to send Rangers out of the competition last night, losing 1-0 on aggregate to PSV Eindhoven. Lens slid home from close range after 13 minutes, while Walter Smith’s side were left to rue poor refereeing decisions. MORE

Racing provides the real spectacle

The joy of Cheltenham is that racing remains the main event, even more than the drinking, even on St Patrick’s Day. That low rumble of excitement that builds into the Cheltenham roar is one of the great sporting sounds. MORE

Ferdinand ‘likely to be out for season’

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that Rio Ferdinand will be fortunate to play any further part in the club’s run-in. “He’s hardly training,” the Scot admitted. “It looks like we’ll be lucky to get him back for some part of the season.” MORE

Pluck of the Irish the tip for Gold Cup

Rising force Pandorama could be a clever choice for those looking for a Gold Cup tip. Tough and reliable, he has won all but two of his career starts, performing well in the Lexus Chase last Christmas, and victory would crown a fine week for the Irish. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

There are a hundred questions and at least as many doubts but the conviction most difficult to resist is that we will hear the hooves of a new champion this afternoon and that its name will be Long Run. MORE

England pull off escape to victory

England kept their hopes of World Cup glory alive with a pulsating 18-run victory over the West Indies in Chennai yesterday. Requiring a win to retain a chance of reaching the quarterfinals of the competition, Andrew Strauss’s side took the last four wickets for the loss of just three runs. However, still reliant on other results in Group B, England’s presence at the tournament remains in the balance. Their chances of victory appeared distant when a 72-run partnership between Ramnaresh Sarwan and Andre Russell moved Darren Sammy’s side to within 22 runs of victory. But the quick wickets of Russell, Sarwan, Kemar Roach and Sulieman Benn saw England home and took them up to third in their group. Steady knocks of 47 from Jonathan Trott and 44 from Luke Wright earlier in the match had taken Andy Flower’s men to a total of 243, having been limping at 134-5 after 27 overs. Chris Gayle opened the second half of the match in explosive fashion, hitting Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett for 18 runs apiece in the third and fifth overs respectively MORE

Drogba happy with his reduced role

Didier Drogba has admitted to early difficulties at Chelsea since the arrival of Fernando Torres but insisted he was enjoying life at the club. “It wasn’t easy the first week,” he said. “But that’s normal. Now I know we’re doing this for the best of the team.” MORE

Radcliffe plans Manchester return

Paula Radcliffe has confirmed she will return to racing in the Great Manchester Run on 15 May. The runner, 37, has not competed since the New York Marathon in 2009: “I’m excited,” she said. “Particularly as it is happening on home soil.” MORE