The Sport Matrix: Thursday 18 April 2013

Terry's double helps Chelsea stroll back into third place

Chelsea reclaimed third place in the Premier League after they beat Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage. John Terry scored either side of half-time after David Luiz had struck from range. Bryan Ruiz and Urbi Emanuelson went close for the hosts before Luiz, above, scored in his 100th game for Chelsea. Terry then scored twice to take the Blues a point clear of Arsenal. MORE

Van Persie rescues a point for United

Robin van Persie's 21st Premier League goal of the season helped Manchester United salvage a 2-2 draw at West Ham as the leaders twice came from behind. Ricardo Vaz Te and Mohamed Diamé had put the Hammers ahead, with Antonio Valencia and Van Persie replying. MORE

Tevez helps City put down marker

A Carlos Tevez strike seven minutes from time earned Manchester City a 1-0 victory over a battling Wigan side in a dress rehearsal for next month's FA Cup final. Roberto Martinez's side impressed in defeat, with Paul Scharner hitting the bar just before Tevez's goal. MORE

Taylor set to miss most of 2013/14

Having missed almost eight months of the current campaign, Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor could miss most of next season after suffering a recurrence of a cruciate knee ligament injury. "Everyone at the club is deeply saddened by the news," manager Alan Pardew said.

Murray motors in Monte Carlo

Andy Murray required just 72 minutes to win his first clay-court match of the season yesterday, overcoming France's Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-1, 6-4 to reach the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters. The Scot will next face Stanislas Wawrinka. MORE

Okoye ditches the discus for NFL shot

GB Olympian Lawrence Okoye has decided to give up the discus and play American football. "If I carried on I would have reached such a level where it would be tough to go backwards," said Okoye, who finished 12th in last year's Olympics.

Armstrong failed four tests in 1999

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong failed four drugs tests during the 1999 Tour de France. The International Cycling Union believed at the time that the traces of corticosteroids came from a cream used to treat saddle-soreness. MORE

Finn ready for 'huge' Ashes year

Steven Finn is looking forward to the test of two Ashes series this year. "It's a huge year for us in both Test and one-day cricket," the 24-year-old bowler said. "I really can't wait for it to start. Hopefully I can have a part to play." MORE

London Welsh players free to go

London Welsh chairman Bleddyn Phillips will not stand in any player's way if they wish to leave the troubled club. "Relegation has left us at a crossroads," he said. "It would be churlish to prevent [players] taking up opportunities elsewhere." MORE

Ecclestone rejects calls to cancel GP

Formula One supremo Bernie Ecclestone has rejected calls for this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix to be cancelled over human-rights issues. "It is too late to make any changes to the calendar," he said. MORE

Cardiff City

The Welsh club regained their top-flight place this week after 51 years in the lower leagues. i looks at what Malky Mackay's side must do to survive back among the big boys next season. MORE