The Sports Matrix: Thursday 22 March 2012

Substitute Tevez inspires City to vital victory

Making his first Manchester City appearance in six months, Carlos Tevez came off the bench after 66 minutes to set up Samir Nasri's 85th-minute winner in City's 2-1 victory over Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium last night. The win moves the club within one point of league leaders Manchester United. MORE

Bolton's fixtures to go ahead

Bolton will fulfill their fixture against Blackburn on Saturday, and will play Tottenham next Tuesday in the rearranged FA Cup tie. The club doctor Jonathan Tobin revealed yesterday it took 78 minutes to get Fabrice Muamba's heart beating again. MORE

Gunners move up to third place

Arsenal moved above Tottenham in the Premier League for the first time since September after winning 1-0 at Everton last night, Thomas Vermaelen scoring the only goal of the game. Tottenham drew 1-1 with Stoke at White Hart Lane. MORE

North-east rivals charged by FA

Newcastle (£40,000) and Sunderland (£20,000) have been fined by the FA for failing to control their players as a result of a brawl in the match between the clubs this month. Newcastle's fine was doubled because it was their second offence this season.

Pique: Humble Messi still the same

Barcelona's record goalscorer Lionel Messi has not let success change him, according to team-mate Gerard Pique, with whom he has played from a young age. "If you put the 13-year-old Leo next to the 24-year-old one you'd see that he has not changed at all." MORE

Hull snap up in-demand Ellis

Hull have won the contest to sign one of the world's best forwards, Gareth Ellis. The 30-year-old England second-rower has agreed to join the ambitious club on a three-year contract when he returns from his stint with Wests Tigers in Australia. MORE

Palmer angered by tournament snub

Arnold Palmer yesterday revealed his anger at the absence of the world's No 1 and 2 Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy from the tournament bearing his name: "I'm disappointed they aren't here," the 82-year-old said on the eve of the start of the event. MORE

Flanker Lydiate named best player

Dan Lydiate yesterday saw off competition from his Wales team-mates Sam Warburton and Alex Cuthbert to be awarded the 2012 Six Nations Player of the Championship award. "I didn't expect anything like this," the 23-year-old flanker said. MORE

Tons for Trott and Strauss in Colombo

England openers Andrew Strauss (100) and Jonathan Trott (101) both hit centuries against the Sri Lankan Development XI yesterday, while Ian Bell's slump in form continued when he was dismissed for 14. England ended the day 203 runs behind. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

There were times last night when Carlos Tevez seemed less a moral dilemma for Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini than a last resort – and so it was, right to the moment his team came back into the title race. MORE