It was perhaps only fitting that a classic Luis Suaréz finish on the break should seal Spanish football’s latest Clásico in favour of Barcelona. The 2-1 win over Real Madrid at the Nou Camp leaves Barca four points clear of Real at the top of La Liga and in pole position for the title. It would have made painful viewing for Liverpool – Suaréz’s former employers who came so close to winning the Premier League last season – as they lost 2-1 to Manchester United to intensify the two sides’ tussle for one Champions League place. Juan Mata’s astonishing volleyed winner for United was unjustly overshadowed by Steven Gerrard’s sending-off for stamping, 38 seconds after coming on as a substitute. “I’ve let my team-mates and manager down and more importantly I’ve let all the supporters down,” muttered the Liverpool captain, while staring at his shoes.
Cook struggles for touch
Away from the Cricket World Cup, where New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and India all advanced smoothly to the last four, England Test captain Alastair Cook made a less than auspicious return to action, lasting just six balls while opening the batting for the MCC in the county season curtain-raiser against Yorkshire. It was probably not the preparation Cook had hoped for ahead of England’s Test series in the West Indies, the touring party for which features six members of Yorkshire’s county championship-winning side.
Veterans stalk Indian Wells
The big dinosaurs of men’s tennis were still chewing one another up remorselessly at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. World No 1 Novak Djokovic continued his imperious start to the season, beating Roger Federer 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2 in the final for his 50th career title and fourth triumph in this tournament. In the women’s final Simona Halep, who received a bye to the final after Serena Williams pulled out with injury, beat Jelena Jankovic 2-6, 7-5, 6-4 in an epic encounter. “Simona was unbelievable,” said Jankovic graciously afterwards. “We were running like two dogs and in the end I couldn’t keep up any more.”
Every retains his Palmer title
The static crackle of new-season golfwear filled the air at Bay Hill in Florida, where Matt Every retained his title at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The American took advantage of a generous capitulation by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who was one up with four to play but who dropped key shots in the home straight. The world No 1, Rory McIlroy, finished well back in a tie for 11th place but declared himself satisfied with his final competitive round before next month’s Augusta Masters. “I feel like I got what I wanted out of the week, four good competitive rounds,” the Northern Irishman said.
