The Sport Matrix: Friday 16 August 2013

City open season in style with rout of 10-man Newcastle

Manchester City moved to the top of the embryonic Premier League table last night as they cruised to a 4-0 victory over 10-man Newcastle United.

David Silva and Sergio Aguero had City two up at the break in Manuel Pellegrini’s first match in charge, before Steven Taylor, above, was sent-off. Yaya Touré and Samir Nasri doubled the advantage for the dominant hosts after the break. MORE

Victory will take England second

England take on Australia in the fifth and final Ashes Test of the summer at The Oval tomorrow in the knowledge that victory would move them up to second in the world rankings. The ICC announced yesterday that the completion of a 4-0 series win would take them above India.

Panesar agrees Essex loan spell

England bowler Monty Panesar has joined Essex on loan after being told he would be released by Sussex at the end of the season. “I want to give myself the best chance of playing all forms of the game at the highest level,” said the spinner, who could debut today. MORE

Rooney reality dawning at Chelsea

There is a reality dawning at Chelsea that what they hoped would be one of the most exciting signings in even their recent history – the wantaway Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney – is not going to happen in this transfer window at least.

PSG join Arsenal in race for Cabaye

French champions Paris-Saint Germain last night gazumped Arsenal in the race for Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye, making a £15m move for the Frenchman following the English club’s £10m bid. The player was left out of the Newcastle squad for last night’s defeat at Manchester City. MORE

European success bodes well for game

Europe’s thrashing of the United States in Colorado, to retain the Solheim Cup for the first time, was a triumph of individual brilliance, collective will and smart leadership, breathing new life into women’s golf on both sides of the Atlantic. MORE

How Djokovic ate himself fitter

A chance viewing of an Australian Open match led to Dr Igor Cetojevic noticing a problem in Novak Djokovic’s diet. The Serb’s game has since been transformed by the implementation of a gluten-free plan, as Paul Newman reports.

Cleverly drops retirement hint

Nathan Cleverly has hinted that he might never box again. “It’s time to have a normal life for a bit,” the former WBO light heavyweight champion said. “Maybe have a couple of months resting. Who knows where my heart is going to lie?” MORE

Final display gives hope to England

The girls in front were quicker than me in a flat-out 1500m this season so I had no right to beat them in a World Championships final. I now just have to work out how to make up that time, how to beat them. That’s the goal.

Fitzpatrick ends 102-year itch

Matthew Fitzpatrick beat Oliver Goss with three holes to spare to become the first English winner in more than a century to win the US Amateur Championship. “It’s nice to go down in the history books,” he said.

Michael Calvin

The reputation of Arsène Wenger as a technocrat is damaged by doubts about his support staff. Arsenal’s preponderance of injuries questions the application of conditioning programmes. MORE