The Sport Matrix: Thursday 30 April 2015

Harris is appointed Millwall manager

Millwall have appointed Neil Harris as permanent manager, a day after they were condemned to relegation to League One. The club’s all-time record scorer was named interim manager after Ian Holloway was sacked in March but was unable to keep the Lions up. “I have been greatly impressed with the professionalism and attention to detail Neil has demonstrated,” the club’s chairman John Berylson said.

Froome up to third as Albasini leads

Tour of Romandie specialist Michael Albasini won the second stage to take the overall lead. He edged Jarlinson Pantano and Julian Alaphilippe at the end of the 168.1km route. Two-time defending champion Chris Froome is third overall. Meanwhile, Mark Cavendish remains in the points leader’s jersey at the Tour of Turkey but was unable to contest the sprint finish to yesterday’s stage four.

Salford’s injured ready to defy pain

Salford coach Iestyn Harris is now confident he will not be forced to press his assistant coaches into action at Hull tomorrow. Harris has just 12 players available due to injuries and suspensions and is considering registering his deputy, Ian Watson, 38, and Under-19s coach Martin Gleeson, 34, in time to play. But Harris said several injured players are ready to play through the pain: “There are a few that could come through for us.”

Real maintain pressure on Barcelona

A stunning goal from James Rodriguez inspired Real Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Almeria last night as they kept up the pressure on leaders Barcelona at the top of La Liga. The Colombian volleyed home from outside the area shortly before the interval and Mauro dos Santos’ own goal, under pressure from Cristiano Ronaldo, doubled the European champions’ lead shortly after the restart at the Bernabeu. Alvaro Arbeloa added a late third to put Real two points behind leaders Barça.

Belfast to host BBC sport awards show

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year show will take place in Belfast for the first time later this year. Northern Ireland’s golf world No 1 Rory McIlroy welcomed the news and said: “Belfast has shown over the past few years that it can hold massive events like this.” The end-of-year show will take place at the 8,000-seat Odyssey Arena on Sunday, 20 December.