The Sports Matrix: Monday 4 April 2011

Mourinho: 0-0 with Spurs ‘good’ result

Jose Mourinho has admitted that Real Madrid would take a draw against Tottenham tomorrow, and that he would adjust his tactics according to Spurs’. “Nil-nil at home in the first game is good,” Mourinho said. Real lost at home in La Liga at the weekend. MORE

Mickelson ‘suited to’ Augusta course

Phil Mickelson will return to defend his Masters crown this week, and spoke about how he believes the Augusta course suits his game. “I feel like I can make mistakes and still make pars,” said the 40-year-old American. “I don’t have to drive it perfect.” MORE

Kenny pleased to be back at the top

Paddy Kenny is delighted to be at table-topping QPR, who face Sheffield United tonight. One year ago he was banned after a positive drug test. “If you’d said then that you’d seen this in a crystal ball,” he tells i, “I’d have said you were having a laugh.” MORE

Battling Leeds surprise Exeter

Leeds managed their third win of the season yesterday, beating Exeter 27-22 at Headingley, with tries from Hendre Fourie and Alfie To’oala. Second-placed Saracens beat Bath 20-9 at Vicarage Road, thanks to some accurate kicking from Alex Goode. MORE

Zamora scores two in easy Fulham win

Two Bobby Zamora goals helped Fulham to a 3-0 win over Blackpool at Craven Cottage. Zamora scored with a powerful finish and then a header from a Damien Duff free-kick before Dickson Etuhu scored the third. Blackpool are safe by just one point. MORE

Dragons pull off Warrington shock

Catalan Dragons inflicted Warrington’s first defeat since the opening week of the Super League season with a 22-20 win at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. Scott Dureau, who was carried off at the end, scored a brilliant late try to win it for Dragons. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

The poverty of ambition displayed recently by Manchester City was replaced yesterday by a faster tempo, a recognisable pulse and the idea that this might indeed be a team finally prepared to make something of its riches. MORE

City go third with rout of Sunderland

Manchester City moved ahead of Chelsea with a 5-0 destruction of Sunderland at Eastlands yesterday. Adam Johnson, in his first start since January, rewarded Roberto Mancini’s decision with a well-taken goal after just nine minutes. Carlos Tévez doubled City’s lead six minutes later with a penalty. City’s next three goals all came within a 10-minute second half spell, as David Silva, Patrick Vieira and Yaya Touré all converted from close range. MORE

Murphy redeemed in Carlisle victory

Carlisle won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy with a 1-0 win over Brentford at Wembley. The only goal was scored by defender Peter Murphy. “We felt we had something to prove after last year,” he said, referring to their defeat to Southampton in 2010. MORE

St Nicholas Abbey poor on return

St Nicholas Abbey was a disappointing third in his return at the Curragh yesterday. The star juvenile of 2009, who flopped as favourite for the 2,000 Guineas last year, came in nearly seven lengths behind Unaccompanied, with Cilium second. MORE