The Sports Matrix: Thursday 10 November 2011

Djokovic plays and picks up £1m bonus

Novak Djokovic shrugged off a shoulder injury to secure a $1.6m (£1m) ATP bonus as year-ending world No 1 by winning his opening match at the Paris Masters yesterday. Meanwhile Andy Murray beat Jérémy Chardy 6-2, 6-4, his 16th win in a row. MORE

Clarke holds off Steyn onslaught

South Africa took the initiative on the first day of the first Test despite Michael Clarke's unbeaten 107 for the visitors, Australia, who reached on 214 for 8. The world's top-ranked bowler Dale Steyn took 4 for 31 and Vernon Philander, on debut, 3 for 54. MORE

Tevez: I asked City for permission

Carlos Tevez insists that he tried to contact Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini around 10 times to ask permission for his return to Argentina which leaves him facing another two-week fine. He claims Mancini did not reply to either texts or voicemails. MORE

England expect fierce atmosphere

England coach Steve McNamara believes the atmosphere at the KC Stadium will be vital in Saturday's Four Nations game with New Zealand: "There's nowhere in this country where people are as passionate in their support as Hull. We are going to war." MORE

Arshavin criticises Wenger rigidity

Andrei Arshavin believes that his Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger bases his substitutions on philosophy rather than performance: "Sometimes you can see it on the field: no matter how well you have played, you will still be replaced on the 70th minute." MORE

Moody brands drinking 'naïve'

Lewis Moody, England captain during the recent World Cup, admits to i that well-publicised drinking during the tournament was "naïve". "The fact that we allowed it to happen," he said, "was one of the most disappointing things for me." MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

The inherent hysteria of the campaign to have Fifa allow poppies on the England shirts was exposed utterly in the statement of Sports Minister Hugh Robertson. This is a rough kind of social vigilantism. MORE

Capello faced with dilemma over Jagielka selection

Fabio Capello has an issue over whether or not to select Everton centre-back Phil Jagielka for Saturday's friendly against Spain. Everton had thought that Jagielka, who has a broken toe, and has been playing with painkilling injections, would be rested against Spain and Sweden on Tuesday. He was expected to join up with the squad late last night and then withdraw this morning after examination. Capello, though, is now minded to play Jagielka alongside Joleon Lescott on Saturday, given his decision to rest John Terry against Spain. Jagielka, who is reluctant to withdraw himself from the squad, would then likely return to Everton before the Sweden match. The dispute over whether England can wear poppies on their shirts on Saturday was resolved last night when Fifa said they would permit the players to wear poppies on their black armbands. Prince William and David Cameron both yesterday petitioned Fifa to change their mind. Cameron had described Fifa's refusal to allow the poppies on shirts as "outrageous" and "absurd". MORE

Newcastle to play in Sports Direct Arena

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley is pushing through his plan to rebrand St James' Park as the Sports Direct Arena. "The board have a responsibility to maximise all revenue streams for the benefit of the club," said managing director Derek Llambias. MORE

Bautista to ride for Gresini next year

Team Gresini Honda, who lost Italian Marco Simoncelli in a fatal accident in Malaysia last month, have named the 26-year-old Spaniard Alvaro Bautista as their new rider for next season. Bautista tested for his new team at Valencia yesterday.