The Sports Matrix: Monday 29 August 2011
Wenger admits humiliation after 8-2 demolition
After Manchester United inflicted the heaviest defeat of his career in management, and Arsenal’s worst thrashing since a 7-0 loss at West Hamin the old first Division in 1927, Arsène Wenger was left with no choice other than to admit he had been humiliated as his side suffered an 8-2 drubbing at Old Trafford yesterday. “Of course you feel humiliated when you concede eight goals,” he said. Wenger also revealed he is hopeful of strengthening his beleaguered side before the end of the transfer window on Wednesday, but nothing is definite. “We have the money to sign players. If we find players who can strengthen our team then we will do it. If we don’t do it, it is because we haven’t found them.” MORE
Dzeko scores four as City run riot
Edin Dzeko scored four goals – including a 21-minute hat-trick – as Manchester City tore through Tottenham yesterday, running out 5-1 winners at White Hart Lane. Sergio Aguero was also on target for City, while Younes Kaboul scored for Spurs. MORE
Shotton steals in to keep Stoke flying
Stoke beat West Bromwich 1-0 at The Hawthorns, courtesy of Ryan Shotton’s bizarre 89th-minute goal to sustain their unbeaten start. Shotton beat James Foster to the ball – with the goalkeeper believing he had it under control – before bundling it home. MORE
Jones called up to England seniors
Manchester United’s Phil Jones has earned his first call-up to the England senior squad for next month’s Euro 2012 qualifiers with Bulgaria and Wales. The defender, 19, joins the recalled Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe, but Peter Crouch misses out. MORE
Agony for Farah at being second best
Britain’s Mo Farah narrowly missed out on gold in the 10,000m at the World Championships yesterday after being overtaken by Ethiopia’s Ibrahim Jeilan around 25m from the finish line. “It’s agony. You always want the gold,” Farah admitted. MORE
Vettel roars on as Hamilton crashes
Sebastian Vettel beat Mark Webber to score a one-two for Red Bull in Belgium yesterday. McLaren’s Jenson Button finished third but Lewis Hamilton endured a nightmare race, crashing out on lap 12 after colliding with Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi. MORE
Bolt disqualified for false start
Usain Bolt caused a shock at the World Championships by being disqualified from the 100m final, after the defending champion made a false start. Yohan Blake, Bolt’s Jamaican team-mate, instead sped to an unexpected gold in 9.92sec. MORE
James Lawton
The question is academic. It is about whether the place so long occupied, and with such panache and self confidence, by the teams created by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger can ever be truly reclaimed. MORE
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