The Sports Matrix: Monday 29 August 2011

Wenger admits humiliation after 8-2 demolition

After Manchester United inflicted the heaviest defeat of his career in management, and Arsenal’s worst thrashing since a 7-0 loss at West Hamin the old first Division in 1927, Arsène Wenger was left with no choice other than to admit he had been humiliated as his side suffered an 8-2 drubbing at Old Trafford yesterday. “Of course you feel humiliated when you concede eight goals,” he said. Wenger also revealed he is hopeful of strengthening his beleaguered side before the end of the transfer window on Wednesday, but nothing is definite. “We have the money to sign players. If we find players who can strengthen our team then we will do it. If we don’t do it, it is because we haven’t found them.” MORE

Dzeko scores four as City run riot

Edin Dzeko scored four goals – including a 21-minute hat-trick – as Manchester City tore through Tottenham yesterday, running out 5-1 winners at White Hart Lane. Sergio Aguero was also on target for City, while Younes Kaboul scored for Spurs. MORE

Shotton steals in to keep Stoke flying

Stoke beat West Bromwich 1-0 at The Hawthorns, courtesy of Ryan Shotton’s bizarre 89th-minute goal to sustain their unbeaten start. Shotton beat James Foster to the ball – with the goalkeeper believing he had it under control – before bundling it home. MORE

Jones called up to England seniors

Manchester United’s Phil Jones has earned his first call-up to the England senior squad for next month’s Euro 2012 qualifiers with Bulgaria and Wales. The defender, 19, joins the recalled Darren Bent and Jermain Defoe, but Peter Crouch misses out. MORE

Agony for Farah at being second best

Britain’s Mo Farah narrowly missed out on gold in the 10,000m at the World Championships yesterday after being overtaken by Ethiopia’s Ibrahim Jeilan around 25m from the finish line. “It’s agony. You always want the gold,” Farah admitted. MORE

Vettel roars on as Hamilton crashes

Sebastian Vettel beat Mark Webber to score a one-two for Red Bull in Belgium yesterday. McLaren’s Jenson Button finished third but Lewis Hamilton endured a nightmare race, crashing out on lap 12 after colliding with Sauber’s Kamui Kobayashi. MORE

Bolt disqualified for false start

Usain Bolt caused a shock at the World Championships by being disqualified from the 100m final, after the defending champion made a false start. Yohan Blake, Bolt’s Jamaican team-mate, instead sped to an unexpected gold in 9.92sec. MORE

James Lawton

The question is academic. It is about whether the place so long occupied, and with such panache and self confidence, by the teams created by Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger can ever be truly reclaimed. MORE