The Sports Matrix: Thursday 26 January 2012

Posted By on January 30, 2012

Craig Bellamy scored a late equaliser at Anfield to help
Liverpool set up a first Wembley final in 16 years and a reunion
with the Welshmans former side and hometown club, Cardiff
City.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg against Manchester City,
Liverpool fell behind on the night to Nigel de Jongs fine 25-yard
effort, before a handball from Micah Richards gave Steven Gerrard
the chance to again put Liverpool ahead on aggregate from
the penalty spot before half-time.

Edin Dzeko tapped City ahead on the night with a little over 20
minutes remaining, only for Bellamy, linking up superbly with Glen
Johnson, to tie the scores at 2-2 and give Kenny Dalglishs side a
3-2 aggregate victory. MORE

Dropped catches hamper England

Pakistan were restricted to 256 for 7 after the first days play
in Abu Dhabi, with Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann each taking three
wickets. Englands efforts were hampered by dropped catches, while
Misbah-ul-Haq remains unbeaten on 83. MORE

Djokovic next for superb Murray

Andy Murray reached his fifth Grand Slam semi-final in a row,
beating Japans Kei Nishikori. The Scot had little trouble in
Melbourne, prevailing 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 to set up a meeting with Novak
Djokovic, to whom he lost in last years final. MORE

Mackay promised transfer funds

Malky Mackay, manager of Carling Cup finalists Cardiff City, has
been promised funds to help the clubs push for promotion. Malky
has always had our support, club chairman Dato Chan Tien Ghee
said. The money is there if he wants to use it. MORE

Balotelli: I am not a violent player

Mario Balotelli says he is not a villain or violent player
after accepting a four-match ban for stamping on Tottenhams Scott
Parker. I have accepted the ban because I couldnt prove my
innocence, the Italian said. I didnt try to [put my] heel [on]
Parker. MORE

McIlroy focuses on hero Woods

Rory McIlroy is looking forward to teeing off with Tiger Woods
in the Abu Dhabi Championship, after being forced to borrow a
camera to get close to his hero in the Arabian desert six years
ago. The only way was to commandeer a camera, he said. MORE

Robinson takes aim at England squad

Andy Robinson kicked off the Six Nations mind games by
criticising the behaviour of England players at the World Cup. I
felt two or three were disrespectful, the Scotland coach said.
There is a responsibility on us to conduct ourselves properly.
MORE

Trial highlights Quest limitations

Harry Redknapps trial for tax evasion has highlighted the
limits of the 2006 Quest investigation into English football
finances. Quest had no power to order disclosure [of personal
information], said Nigel Layton, a former Quest managing director.
MORE

Chelsea close in on winger De Bruyne

Chelsea are holding discussions with Genk over a move for the
midfielder Kevin de Bruyne. The 20-year-old could move this week,
although he would then be loaned back to Genk. The expectation is
it will be finished this week, a Genk spokesman said. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

If Mario Balotelli seems to spend time in his own private
universe, his agent does not appear the ideal candidate to organise
periodic returns to Planet Earth. His declarations may be risible
but should also be alarming. MORE

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