The Sport Matrix: Thursday 19 December 2013

Spurs knocked out by Hammers as United progress

Tottenham’s woes continued as they were beaten 2-1 by West Ham in their Capital One Cup quarter-final at White Hart Lane.

Emmanuel Adebayor’s volley put Spurs ahead in the 67th minute - the striker’s first goal since May. West Ham levelled, though, Matt Jarvis’ goal in the 80th minute and Modibo Maiga struck the winner with five minutes remaining.

Manchester United, meanwhile, progressed to the semi-finals after defeating Stoke City 2-0 in a game that was briefly suspended because of heavy hail. Ashley Young fired home an unstoppable shot in the 62nd minute and Patrice Evra made sure of the victory by curling home a right-footed strike.

The Manchester United manager, David Moyes, said: “The conditions were a leveller. It’s some of the worst conditions I’ve played or managed in.” MORE

Sannino replaces Zola at Watford

Watford yesterday named Giuseppe Sannino as their new head coach just two days after Gianfranco Zola resigned from the position. Italian Sannino, 55, who was sacked by Serie A club Chievo last month, has 17 years of coaching experience. MORE

Mourinho may defy Abramovich

Jose Mourinho could be on a collision course with Chelsea’s owner, Roman Abramovich, after saying he may grind out results and not play with style. “If I want to win 1-0 I can,” he said after exiting the League Cup. “I don’t want to do it but I am giving serious consideration to it.” MORE

England to prepare for Manaus heat

Roy Hodgson and his England squad will spend an extra day in Manaus immediately before their first World Cup game against Italy there on 14 June in a bid to help acclimatise to the conditions in the Amazonian city. MORE

Flower focused on final two Tests

Andy Flower would not be drawn on his own future as England head coach yesterday, insisting the focus must remain on the final two Ashes Tests. He said: “Those two Tests are very important Test matches.” MORE

Northampton fined 60k over North

Northampton have been fined £60,000 after releasing winger George North for Wales duty outside the International Rugby Board’s designated Test window, Premiership Rugby confirmed yesterday.

Djokovic appoints Becker as coach

Novak Djokovic has named six-time Grand Slam winner Boris Becker as his head coach. The appointment sees Becker lock horns again with rival Ivan Lendl, who has coached Andy Murray for the past two years. MORE

Sampson unveils his first squad

Mark Sampson has named his first squad since replacing Hope Powell as England women’s head coach. There are six uncapped players in his 30-woman squad. Captain Casey Stoney and Kelly Smith are absent. MORE

Bunce on Tyson

Boxing Correspondent Steve Bunce remembers his tours with the troubled former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson – and why on one occasion he was told to ask him about pigeons. MORE