The Sports Matrix: Tuesday 06 December 2011

Dempsey downs 10-man Liverpool

Clint Dempsey scored the only goal as Fulham beat Liverpool 1-0 at Craven Cottage last night. Dempsey tapped in with five minutes left after Pepe Reina spilled the ball. Jay Spearing had earlier been sent off for a tackle on Fulham's Moussa Dembélé. MORE

Touré: Clubs unfair to African players

Manchester City's Kolo Touré believes clubs treat players in the African Cup of Nations unfairly. "Coaches don't want to sign players because of it. African players are the victims of discrimination." Touré also dismissed his defensive rival Stefan Savic. MORE

O'Neill faces fair play challenge

Martin O'Neill, who will be presented as Sunderland manager today, inherits a club needing to reduce its wage bill, which was 72 per cent of turnover last financial year, to keep it in line with Uefa's financial fair play rules. The club lost £23.5m and £25.5m in the last two years. MORE

Wenger demands 'attitude' from kids

Arsène Wenger is keen to win Arsenal's game with Olympiakos tonight, despite playing youngsters such as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. "I know we have a big responsibility and I would be very disappointed if our winning attitude was not completely right," he said. MORE

Allen tears into chairman Hearn

Mark Allen qualified for the second round of the UK Championship yesterday then attacked World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn. "The players don't really matter [to Hearn]," he said. "Barry's just there to make money for himself." MORE

Robshaw made captaincy favourite

Harlequins captain Chris Robshaw was yesterday installed as favourite to lead England in the Six Nations. Robshaw is thought to be one of three back-rowers in the minds of the interim coaching team: the others are Tom Croft and Tom Wood. MORE

Gooch quits Essex to focus on England

Graham Gooch is leaving his role as first-team batting coach for Essex to focus on his work with England. "I never wanted to relinquish this role at the club but as my England commitments have grown it is now impossible to do justice to both roles."

Samuels sets up shock win in India

India suffered their first defeat in 12 home one-day internationals yesterday as West Indies beat them by 16 runs. The visitors scored 260 for 5, with 58 from Marlon Samuels, before India were bowled out for 244, as Ravi Rampaul took 4 for 57.

Rose leaves Dubai for birth of child

Justin Rose has withdrawn from this week's Dubai World Championship to be with his wife Kate in Florida as they await their second child. He is currently seventh in the points race but could fall down the standings this week.

Opinion: James Lawton

Tiger Woods has returned, with his first win in two years, and who among those who celebrate the quality of a supreme champion, a man who can quicken the blood simply by appearing on the first tee, can have any regret? MORE