The Sport Matrix: Monday 13 January

Newcastle angry as disallowed Tioté effort sets up City

Newcastle were left cursing the officials after an effort from Cheick Tioté was disallowed during their 2-0 defeat by Manchester City.

Trailing to Edin Dzeko’s opener, the hosts believed they had levelled when Tioté volleyed in – only for referee Mike Jones to disallow the effort as Yoan Gouffran was judged to have interfered with play. Alvaro Negredo scored a late second for City. MORE

Suarez tips thriller towards Liverpool

Luis Suarez took his Premier League goal tally to 22 for the season as his double helped Liverpool win a topsy-turvy game 5-3 at Stoke City yesterday. The returning Daniel Sturridge also scored as the visitors regained fourth place to maintain their title challenge. MORE

Saints win but cup hopes vanishing

Despite a gutsy 29-17 victory over Ospreys at the Liberty Stadium yesterday, Northampton’s hopes of making the last eight of the Heineken Cup remain slender. George North, George Pisi and Glenn Dickson went over for the Saints. MORE

Murray wary of Melbourne heat

Andy Murray has admitted a heatwave could affect his game as he begins his Australian Open campaign. “The court gets so hot,” he said. “The air is extremely hot as well. Your legs and your feet burn. It’s very tough.” MORE

West Ham eager not to rush Carroll

West Ham assistant manager Neil McDonald says the club plan to reintroduce Andy Carroll slowly following the striker’s return from injury. “We have to build Andy’s time up gradually,” he said. “We have to make sure we don’t push him too hard, too far and too fast.” MORE

Doussain puts the boot into Saracens

Jean-Marc Doussain sent over seven penalties as Toulouse overcame Saracens 21-11 to all but secure top spot in Pool 3 of the Heineken Cup yesterday. Sarries are still well placed to make the last eight as one of the best runners-up. MORE

Ronaldo favourite for world player title

Cristiano Ronaldo is the clear favourite to claim the Ballon d’Or when the winner is announced tonight. The Real Madrid forward scored 66 goals in 2013 and is tipped to take the award ahead of Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribéry and Barcelona’s Lionel Messi.

England maintain losing momentum

England’s poor Test form on their Australian tour spilled over into the 50-over format as Alastair Cook’s side were beaten in the first One-Day International. Aaron Finch scored 121 as Australia eased home by six wickets in Melbourne. MORE

Opinion: Sam Wallace

Arsenal’s renaissance has been remarkable. Against Aston Villa tonight, a victory will take them back to the top. While they may well not win the league, it is, for now, enough that they could. MORE

Benteke backed to end goal drought

The Aston Villa manager, Paul Lambert, has tipped striker Christian Benteke to end his four-month scoring drought. “People are going on about his scoring, but that will come,” Lambert said before tonight’s visit of Arsenal. “At least the lad’s in there to try and score.” MORE

Bunting claims maiden world title

Top seed Stephen Bunting beat Alan Norris 7-4 to be crowned BDO World champion last night. Bunting pulled three sets clear from 3-3 before a brief Norris fightback, only for 28-year-old Bunting to wrap up the spoils for his first world title.