The Sport Matrix: Monday 7 April 2014

Liverpool and Everton keep up the winning habit

The Premier League’s Merseyside contingent continued their winning runs to remain in the hunt for their respective targets of the title and a top-four finish.

Liverpool benefited from some generous refereeing to overcome West Ham 2-1, Steven Gerrard scoring twice from the spot either side of a contentious Guy Demel leveller. Brendan Rodgers’ side moved back to the top of the table and welcome favourites Manchester City next Sunday.

Everton had earlier convincingly beaten Arsenal 3-0 to move to within a point of the Gunners, Steven Naismith and Romelu Lukaku (above) finding the net at Goodison Park prior to a Mikel Arteta own goal. MORE

Norwich call time on Hughton reign

Chris Hughton was last night sacked by Norwich City after a run of just three wins in 20 matches. The 55-year-old took over at Carrow Road in June 2012 and was in charge for 82 matches, winning just 24. Norwich sit 17th in the Premier League. MORE

Murray beaten as Italy recover to win

Italy won both of the final singles matches to overcome a 2-1 deficit and beat Great Britain 3-2 in their Davis Cup quarter-final in Naples. Fabio Fognini overcame Andy Murray to level the score before Andreas Seppi beat James Ward, both in straight sets.

Sri Lanka hold nerve to win T20

Sri Lanka won their first World Twenty20 title yesterday, beating India by six wickets in Mirpur. After restricting the 2007 winners to 130 for 4 – including a bold 77 from Virat Kohli – Lasith Malinga’s side reached 134 for the loss of four wickets, with 13 balls to spare. MORE

England Women beaten in T20 final

Australia eased past England for the second successive Women’s World Twenty20 final to retain their crown in Mirpur. England made just 105 for 8, a total Australia matched with five overs to spare for a six-wicket win. MORE

Hamilton gives Brits some cheer

After disappointments in the tennis and cricket, British sport found some solace in Bahrain as Lewis Hamilton won his second grand prix in a row. The Mercedes driver held off team-mate Nico Rosberg in a thriller. MORE

Oxford triumph over Cambridge

Oxford beat Cambridge by 11 lengths in the 160th University Boat Race on the Thames yesterday for their 10th triumph in the last 15 years. The race was marred by an early clash of oars which affected Cambridge. MORE

Champions Toulon reach semi-finals

Toulon eased into the last four of the Heineken Cup with a 29-14 win over Leinster to remain on course to defend their title. Xavier Chiocci and Drew Mitchell went over to secure a last-four tie with Munster. MORE

National referral hearing to be set

Jockeys involved in the Grand National will be called back to discuss the chaotic start to Saturday’s race. Riders refused to go back to see stewards at Aintree so the hearing has been passed on to the British Horseracing Authority. MORE

Sam Wallace

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s time at Cardiff has been a disaster and much of it his own making. From the end of his playing days, he seemed a sensible manager who would take his time. Now he looks out of his depth.