Daniel Ricciardo has called for a back-to-basics approach for Red Bull to forge a return to the front of the grid. Second best to Mercedes last season after a run of four successive championship triumphs, Red Bull have struggled at the start of this year. To rub salt into the wounds, Red Bull even found themselves trailing 'sister' team Toro Rosso at the last race in Malaysia. Daniel Ricciardo in action during practice for this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix . The Australian driver has urged his Red Bull team to go back to basics after a troubled start to 2015 . The main gripe has centred on power-unit supplier Renault, with billionaire benefactor Dietrich Mateschitz suggesting this week he could pull his team out of the sport if matters fail to improve. Ahead of this weekend's grand prix in China, Ricciardo concedes Red Bull are exploring numerous avenues to correct the problems. The Australian managed to finish third quickest in practice, a second behind reigning champion Lewis Hamilton in his Mercedes and four tenths of a second adrift of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen. 1. Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:37.219 . 2. Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:37.662 . 3. Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull - Renault 1:38.311 . 4. Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:38.339 . 5. Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:38.399 . 6. Daniil Kvyat Red Bull - Renault 1:38.737 . 7. Valtteri Bottas Williams-Mercedes 1:38.850 . 8. Felipe Nasr Sauber - Ferrari 1:39.032 . 9. Romain Grosjean Lotus - Mercedes 1:39.142 . 10. Jenson Button  McLaren 1:39.275 . 11. Pastor Maldonado  Lotus - Mercedes 1:39.444 . 12. Fernando Alonso  McLaren 1:39.743 . 13. Marcus Ericsson Sauber - Ferrari 1:39.751 . 14. Max Verstappen Toro Rosso - Renault 1:39.894 . 15. Carlos Sainz Jr Toro Rosso - Renault 1:39.971 . 16. Nico Hulkenberg  Force India - Mercedes 1:40.151 . 17. Felipe Massa Williams-Mercedes 1:40.423 . 18. Sergio Perez Force India - Mercedes 1:40.868 . 19. Roberto Merhi  Marussia - Ferrari 1:42.973 . 20. Will Stevens  Marussia - Ferrari 1:44.564 . 'We are experimenting with a few things, but I think for now we have to go back to what we know, get our basics right,' said Ricciardo. 'We have done quite a bit. In Malaysia we had brake issues, a lot of overheating, so we have reverted back on a few things, even from last year which we knew was more efficient. 'Just because it's from last year it doesn't mean it's not better, so I guess we have taken a step back in that direction. The team has done quite a lot to rectify some issues and get us further up the grid.' Ricciardo has no doubt Renault are also pulling their weight, adding: 'From Melbourne to Malaysia they made a pretty massive step with driveability. 'We also have a few more software things this weekend, which should give things another pretty significant step on that side. 'I appreciate what everyone is doing to get us back towards the front, so fingers crossed it can be put together in the right way this weekend and if so we can get back into that top five.' Daniil Kvyat was forced to pull off track 19 minutes from the end of FP2 after his brakes caught fire . Team-mate Daniil Kvyat, however, was not so fortunate as the young Russian was forced to pull off track 19 minutes from the end of FP2 after his brakes caught fire. Christian Horner said: 'Something overheated within the rear hub assembly. As a result of that we lost pressure in the master cylinder halfway round the lap. 'We asked him to drive back slowly without using the brakes if at all possible, but unfortunately he had to brake at turn 14 and he had a very slow off. 'It's frustrating it's happened, but all the relevant pieces are intact so we can find out what the root cause was.' Despite suffering brake issues in Malaysia, Horner insists the issue there and the one experienced by Kvyat are 'totally unrelated'. Horner added: 'Today was a one-off and can be sorted for tomorrow.'

Red Bull have endured a difficult start to the new Formula One campaign . Daniel Ricciardo was third quickest during practice for the Chinese GP . The Australian's Red Bull team-mate Daniil Kvyat was sixth fastest . But his brakes caught fire and he was forced to stop on track .


Jonathan Trott's first innings on his return to Test cricket for the first time in 17 months was brief and unsuccessful, as he was caught at first slip just three balls in. Trott last played a Test for his country in November 2013, when he withdrew from England's disastrous Ashes tour with a stress-related illness. But his much-anticipated return, this time as captain Alastair Cook's opening partner, was over almost before it had begun when he nicked Jerome Taylor to Darren Bravo. Jonathan Trott trudges off the field after being dismissed for a duck in his first game back in the Test team . Jerome Taylor celebrates dismissing Trott in the first over as England slumped to 1-1 after just five balls . Trott, usually a middle order batsman, had been preferred to Yorkshire's Adam Lyth, still to make his England debut, and moved up to the top of the order. But the gamble failed for the Warwickshire man, who has worked hard to prove he still has the quality to play Test cricket since his Ashes withdrawal the winter before last. The wicket left England one for one after just five balls after being put into bat by the West Indies in the first Test in Antigua. Trott was making his first Test appearance since his Ashes turmoil against Mitchell Johnson 18 months ago .

Jonathan Trott out after three balls, caught by Darren Bravo at slip . Trott is playing his first Test for over a year after stress-related illness . Warwickshire batsman was promoted to open, but failed in first innings . Follow the first Test live HERE .


JIMMY’S TON UP . Jimmy Anderson was given a silver cap by Mike Atherton to mark his 100th Test. And well deserved it was, too. The list of fast bowling centurions is a short one and Anderson finds himself in good company with Courtney Walsh (132), Glenn McGrath (124), Chaminda Vaas (111), Shaun Pollock (108), Wasim Akram (104) and Makhaya Ntini (101). Jimmy Anderson was presented with a special silver cap after reaching 100 Test matches for England . RICHIE REMEMBERED . In a week when cricket lost one of its most revered voices, respectful tributes were paid before play began in Antigua. Both teams stood either side of the pitch for a minute’s silence in honour of the late, great Richie Benaud, who passed away last week. The players and officials also wore black armbands to show their respect. Both teams paid their respects to Richie Benaud before the start of play after he died last week . CANDID CAMERON . Dave Cameron — the West Indies Cricket Board president as opposed to the Prime Minister — said he needed to convince his team of the worth of playing for their country rather than playing for themselves. He told the BBC: ‘We have to help them understand that the team is the most important thing.’ HIGH AND KNIGHTY . There were some famous faces on show as the two ends of the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium were renamed in honour of Sir Curtly Ambrose and Sir Andy Roberts. Both were knighted at the ground in 2014 and Sir Curtly was joined by Sir Viv before play started. Though the power seems to have gone to Curtly’s head, judging by his unusual haircut... West Indies coach Sir Curtly Ambrose (far left) with Sir Viv Richards (second left) before the start of play . CASH BEFORE COUNTRY . What a shame that West Indies’ best batsman Chris Gayle chose to play in the IPL rather than for his country. Gayle hit 21 in a Royal Challengers Bangalore loss. It is a sad sign of the times that West Indies’ best would put a T20 competition before Test cricket. Money talks, of course, and Gayle has become very wealthy through Twenty20 cricket. It is certainly more lucrative than playing for West Indies. Chris Gayle (right) pictured playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore during the 2012 edition of the IPL . NEW DESIGNS . Ian Bell and Joe Root could be seen wearing new headgear out in the middle. After the death of Phillip Hughes last year, British helmet manufacturers Masuri designed a new model with honeycomb padding to protect the back of the head — where Hughes was struck. Ian Bell seen wearing a new helmet that had been designed in the wake of Phillip Hughes' death . MISSING MOEEN . Moeen Ali continued his return from injury with 62 for Worcestershire as they took on champions Yorkshire in the County Championship. Moeen, who has not played for England since straining his side at the World Cup, also bowled nine overs and could yet join up with the squad in the West Indies. Moeen Ali scored 62 for Worcestershire against Yorkshire in the County Championship and bowled nine overs .

Ian Bell and Joe Root try new model helmet, which was released after Phillip Hughes' death late last year . Chris Gayle absent from series, instead playing in Indian Premier League . Jimmy Anderson was presented with silver cap on his 100th Test match . Teams pay their respect to Richie Benaud, who died last week .


Jonathan Brownlee backed up his win in Auckland a fortnight ago by taking the Gold Coast Triathlon in the ITU World Series on Saturday. The Yorkshireman moved amongst the leaders on the swim, remained at the front during the cycle and then broke clear in the run, seeing off Mario Mola by 19 seconds with a winning time of 1:46:53. 'I think it's down to confidence,' he said of his victory. Jonathan Brownlee poses with his gold medal on the podium having won the Gold Coast ITU race . 'After the start of the season I had an awful race, I said I didn't want to make mistakes again. Today it started really well. I saw the four of us and thought lets be aggressive. 'On the run I knew they would take time out of me on the first lap, then I thought 'be steady, and if I run 30:30 it's going to take a great run for them to catch me', and fortunately they didn't.' World champion Javier Gomez took third. As a result Brownlee leads the rankings with 2,186 points from Gomez, who is 219 points behind. Brownlee broke clear of the field during the running section of the Gold Coast triathlon in Australia . In the women's race, Gwen Jorgensen racked up an eighth series victory in a row, leading a clean sweep of Americans on the podium with Sarah True second and Katie Zaferes third. Britain's Lucy Hall was 25th. The series next moves to South Africa and Cape Town, where Alistair Brownlee is expected to start while brother Jonathan will not. Brownlee, during the cycling section of the Gold Coast triathlon, has won consecutive races in the ITU series . The exhausted 24-year-old crosses the line 19 seconds clear of the chasing field in Australia on Saturday .

Jonathan Brownlee won the second race of the ITU season in Auckland . Brownlee also prevailed in Australia, seeing off Mario Mola by 19 seconds . His brother Alistair is expected back from injury in Cape Town on April 25 .


Manchester United legends Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes showed off their netball skills when they joined Manchester Thunder netball team to promote the Superleague semi-finals. The Thunder filmed a lip-sync version of 'Is This The Way To Amarillo', featuring their own players and coaches alongside England women's footballers and several soap stars. And Scholes and the Neville brothers put in a brief appearance, first throwing a netball to each other, and then, somewhat awkwardly, clicking along to the music. Scroll down for video . Phil Neville throws a netball to Gary as Paul Scholes watches in the video supporting Manchester Thunder . The Neville brothers get involved with the musical side of the video, but Scholes doesn't look as certain . England's women footballers do keepy-ups with a netball as part of the video for the Thunder . Undefeated all season, the Thunder are coached by Gary and Phil's sister Tracey Neville, who will take over as England coach at the end of the season. Scholes' is also involved in netball as his daughter Alicia is a keen player, and the former United trio decided to help out with raising awareness for the game, with Phil Neville later tweeting :'Things you do for your sister'. The video also features appearances from Brooke Vincent, Hayley Tamaddon and Katy Cavanagh from Coronation Street, as well as England women's footballers Toni Duggan and Eniola Aluko. The Thunder are due to play either the Hertfordshire Mavericks  at the Manchester Arena on Saturday. The video sees the Thunder team and coaches lip-syncing to the song while running around Manchester . A Thunder player kicks a netball outside Old Trafford, promoting the Superleague semi-finals on April 18 .

Tracey Neville is coach of Manchester Thunder netball team . Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes appear in video to promote team . Manchester United legends throw a netball and click along to music . England's women's footballers and Coronation Street stars also join in .


He was the goalkeeper who only won his place in the side on the back of a teammate shipping an embarrassing eight, so when Costel Pantilimon conceded four goals inside 45 minutes he feared the worst – for himself and the club’s top-flight status. That was four weeks ago when Aston Villa ran riot at the Stadium of Light and Sunderland were booed from the field at half-time before thousands of fans streamed for the exits. Within 48 hours Gus Poyet had been sacked and Dick Advocaat was being installed. The Dutch boss celebrated his first home match with a 1-0 victory over Newcastle last weekend, a result which moved the Black Cats three points clear of the relegation zone ahead of this afternoon’s visit of Crystal Palace. Sunderland Goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon celebrates Jermain Defoe's goal against Newcastle United . Pantilimon kept his place despite pressure from Vito Mannone - the man who was dropped in the wake of October’s 8-0 defeat at Southampton – and the Romanian stopper admits there has been a definite mood change under Advocaat. ‘Before the new manager came, our confidence was not in a good way,’ said the 28-year-old, who was a Premier League winner with Manchester City in 2012 and again last season. ‘We were playing very badly, but now we have a new motivation. He’s brought the enjoyment back. ‘I never expected to play in a game like the 4-0 loss at home to Aston Villa. I was upset. You start to think about what you did wrong. The former Manchester City goalkeeper celebrates with teammate Santiago Vergini at the Stadium of Light . ‘We had to change something. It wasn’t easy. I thought about relegation after the Villa game. ‘I was asking myself, “What is happening?”. We couldn’t win games at home. Away from home we were taking points, but in front of our fans we were failing. 'It was strange and very frustrating. I didn’t know what we could do to be better.’ The answer, it appears, was Advocaat. ‘He has tried to bring us together as a group,’ explained Pantilimon, who has so far avoided one of Advocaat’s infamous fines for a lack of punctuality. ‘We all eat lunch together as a team. That should be normal. It’s a good idea, it creates a stronger group. It means we get to know each other better and other people’s situations. Pantilimon rolls the ball out to a defender as Sunderland beat Newcastle at the Stadium of Light . ‘On the pitch, he wants us to be aggressive all the time, but also keep the ball a lot more. ‘Before the derby he reminded us that not many people have the opportunity to play in a game like this. I think these words said everything, the motivation was at 100 per cent. ‘The atmosphere last week reminded me a lot of how it was after City won the league (in 2012). ‘It was incredible. My wife and my parents were there and they loved the game.’ Both of Pantilimon’s parents are deaf and the keeper uses sign language to communicate. Indeed, it was some advice from his father which set him on his way to a career between the posts. The Romanian shot-stopper celebrates a Sunderland win with his team-mates against Newcastle . ‘I was a striker when I started playing as a child because I liked scoring goals,’ said 6ft 8ins Pantilimon, who was raised in Bacau at the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. ‘My father told me it was better to go in goal. He said I had the physical attributes to play there. ‘But I was not always so tall. I had a period between 14 and 16 when I grew so fast. ‘Thankfully, I didn’t like basketball so much. When I was about 15 I realised I could be a professional goalkeeper. Sunderland manager Dick Advocaat enjoyed his first victory as manager in the derby game with Newcastle . ‘I was only 16 when I made my debut for a professional club. It was a third division club, but it was young to make my debut at that level. ‘I was always confident I could be a goalkeeper. I thought I could get right to the top, I’ve worked hard to be here and I don’t want to stop, I want to get better and better.’ Under Advocaat, things are certainly looking up, for Pantilimon and Sunderland.

Costel Pantilimon believes the good times have returned to the club . He believes manager Dick Advocaat has helped improve atmosphere . Sunderland have been buoyed by their win over neighbours Newcastle . Defoe's winner secured Advocaat his first victory as Black Cats boss .


Ian Bell rescued England from a nightmare start with a century in the first Test against West Indies that was pay back time for being dropped during his last Caribbean series. After his classy 143 had steered England to 341 for five, after they had been 34 for three, Bell said that thoughts of him losing his place in 2009 was a big motivating factor. Bell said: 'It's been at the back of my mind for some time that I got dropped the last time I was here for a Test series. So I wanted to make this one count and it was very satisfying to do so. I deserved to be dropped at the time and I did a lot of hard yards to get back in.' Ian Bell scored 143 on the first day of the first Test against West Indies in Antigua on Monday . The 33-year-old kisses the England badge on his helmet after his 22nd Test match century . And Bell rates his hundred one of the best of his 22 – only Alastair Cook (25), out for another low score, and Kevin Pietersen (23) have scored more. Bell shared century partnerships of 177 with Joe Root, who made 83 and another one of 130 with Ben Stokes who is 71 not out. 'It has to be right up there,' said Bell . It doesn't get much better. The partnership with Joe Root was just what we needed. But the West Indies bowled very well for the first two hours. And Ben Stokes made it a brilliant finish to the day.' Bell was dropped from the side on his last visit to the Caribbean in 2009 . Bell put on 177 for the fourth wicket with Joe Root and added 130 for the fifth wicket with Ben Stokes . ' It was my day today, but hopefully it will be someone else's day in the next innings. 'For me, it was nice - coming here in 2009, this was where I got dropped after our shemozzle in Jamaica, so I was determined to come out and play as well as I could. 'It was nice to come back and put things right.' Bell raises his bat after being dismissed for 143 in the evening session on day one in Antigua . Kemar Roach runs away to celebrate bowling Alastair Cook out for 11 on the first morning of the Test . Cook, who hasn't added to his record haul of 25 centuries since May 2013, was bowled by Kemar Roach for 11 falling again to a good length ball outside off stump. Roach said: 'Cook has a weakness there, everyone knows it. We let them get away a bit, but Bell batted very well.' The other two England disappointments were a nervous-looking Jonathan Trott who lasted just three deliveries on his return from 'situational anxiety', and Gary Ballance, who also fell to a poor shot.

Ian Bell hit 143 on the opening day of the first Test in Antigua . Bell came in with England struggling, but took them to 341 for five . The 33-year-old was dropped during the 2009 series in the Caribbean . Bell says it was 'nice to come back and put things right'


Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong has backed under-fire Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara to turn around his troubled season at Tannadice. McNamara has faced a furious fan backlash in the past week amid a woeful run of results allied to the revelation that he receives a cut of transfer fees for United players sales. Since selling prize assets Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven to Celtic for £2million on transfer deadline day, United have won just once, in a Scottish Cup tie at Stranraer. Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong has backed under-fire Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara . McNamara has faced a furious fan backlash in the past week amid a woeful run of results . After 10 games without a win, the heat was turned up on McNamara on Wednesday night when United lost 3-1 at Dens Park – their first derby defeat to Dundee since November 2004. However, as McNamara comes under increasing pressure from United fans, some of whom believe his position is untenable, Armstrong yesterday backed his old boss to ride out the most testing period of his managerial career. ‘Jackie McNamara is a good guy. He was always really nice to me when I was at United - and he is capable of turning it around,’ said the 23-year-old. Celtic unveil former Dundee Utd teammates Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven following their exit . ‘Yes, United are having woes just now. They are on a bad run of form, and the injuries aren’t really helping either. But these things happen in football. I am sure Jackie McNamara and United will turn it around – it’s just a matter of time.’ Asked yesterday if this spell was the toughest test so far of his managerial career, McNamara said: ‘Not really. We went through a spell last year but it’s things I’ll learn from. I am learning so it’s been good in that sense. ‘I’ve learned different things, reasons for things and different scenarios recently. I think that will stand me in good stead.’ Mackay-Steven (right) celebrates his goal with former Dundee United teammate John Rankin . Ex-United defender Mark Wilson, who also left Tannadice in January, insists the root of the current crisis at United has been their losing streak - not the manager’s controversial bonus scheme. United face Hamilton today, who have not won in 12 matches, and Wilson believes ‘bruised figure’ McNamara can win back the fans if he can restore his team to winning ways. ‘The bonus row doesn’t sit well with the fans,’ conceded Wilson. ‘But that’s purely because the team is losing. If the team was winning it would all be brushed under the carpet. ‘Does the manager look a bruised figure right now? Yes, but you can see why! He’ s built a successful attacking team and his players are getting ripped away. Former Dundee United ace Armstrong celebrates with Mackay-Steven after scoring for Celtic . 'You don’t know whether the players had clauses, or whether it’s been a decision made at the top of the club, but if you took Armstrong and Mackay Steven out of any team it would leave a massive hole. 'Take away Andrew Robertson and Ryan Gauld, who were sold last summer, that’s four mainstays of last year’s team now gone. ‘Those are big shoes to fill, and I’m sure the likes of Aidan Connolly and Blair Spitall, if given time, will do that. Jackie has shown he can go out and buy and rear genuine stars. I believe there is still enough quality there for United to grind out results and start climbing up the league.’

Stuart Armstrong has backed Jackie McNamara to come good again . McNamara faced a furious fan backlash recently amid woeful results . Club have won once since Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven left . Was also revealed that McNamara receives cut of transfer fees .


Roberto Martinez will hold talks with Kevin Mirallas over his future at the end of the season as he stated his ambition to keep Aaron Lennon. Mirallas was one of Everton’s top performers in the first half of the campaign but his form has tailed off following a number of hamstring injuries and he has wanted by Tottenham during the January transfer window. It was mooted at one point that Mirallas and Lennon could be part of a swap deal but Lennon arrived at Goodison Park on loan and has made a big impression on his manager; it would cost £6million to make his signing permanent when the window re-opens. Roberto Martinez will hold talks with Kevin Mirallas and admits he wants to keep loanee Aaron Lenon . Mirallas has made no secret of his ambition to play in the Champions League and Martinez, whose side face Swansea on Saturday, will speak to him after the final game about what his intentions are moving forward. ‘Every player needs to be pleased and happy with that, so in the summer we'll sit down and assess what has been,’ said Martinez. ‘For that reason the next seven games are vital and will give you a much clearer picture of what you do in the summer. Belgian attacker Mirallas was one of Everton’s top performers in the first half of the campaign . ‘I know there have been a couple of times he's had quotes translated from interviews. I don't think anything he has said is disrespectful or out of the norm. The way I see it he's one of those players who loves playing football and he hasn't got any other motivation. ‘He still has a two year contract. If he were out of contract, I would be worried, but all I want is for him to be fully recovered.’ Mirallas has made no secret of his ambition to play in the Champions League . Lennon has caught the eye in recent weeks and Martinez wants him to maintain his impressive form all the way through until the end of May. ‘He’s been a really impressive footballer,’ said Martinez. ‘The way he’s engaged with the other players has been quite impressive. I think he’s brought know-how and experience but also that freshness of wanting to show what he can do. ‘The next seven games will be very important to see if he can carry on enjoying his football and then like any loan situation it’s a three way conversation that, first of all, the player needs to see that experience as a positive one and then we’ll see what the parent club wants to do. ‘But it’s not a decision we need to make now. The next seven games is an eternity in football.’ Lennon is all smiles as Everton train ahead of their weekend fixture against Swansea City . Lennon is challenged Victor Wanyama during the Premier League match between Everton and Southampton .

Roberto Martinez will hold end of season future talks with Kevin Mirallas . Mirallas has made no secret of his Champions League playing ambitions . Martinez also confirmed he wants to keep Aaron Lennon at Goodison Park . Lennon is currently on loan at Everton from rivals Tottenham Hotspur .


Rangers kept the pressure on Hibernian in the race for second spot in the Championship with a comfortable 4-0 win over Raith Rovers. Hibs had secured a win over Hearts in the Edinburgh derby in the earlier kick-off and the Light Blues knew they had to respond. They bounced back from Thursday's defeat by Queen of the South, with Nicky Clark and Haris Vuckic claiming a goal apiece and Nicky Law grabbing a double. Nicky Clark celebrates after putting Rangers 1-0 up against Raith Rovers on Sunday . Clark in the air as he heads the ball towards goal to give the hosts the lead at Ibrox . Rangers manager Stuart McCall applauds the home fans after the full-time whistle . The win means Rangers and Hibs remain level on 61 points, albeit the Leith side have the better goal difference. Stuart McCall had suffered his first defeat as Rangers manager against Queens last week. So it was no real surprise to see him make three changes for the visit of Raith. Goalkeeper Cammy Bell was back between the sticks and Dean Shiels and Robbie Crawford were also added to the side. The Light Blues enjoyed the best possible start to the game when they surged into the lead after just six minutes. Clark found himself in plenty of space to connect with Law's corner and bullet a header home from 10 yards. Law then carved out a chance of his own but his shot from just inside the box was weak and easily held by Kevin Cuthbert. But the goalkeeper had no chance when Gers claimed their second of the day after 27 minutes. Vuckic cut inside from the right before unleashing a powerful drive into the bottom corner to claim his seventh Rangers goal. Haris Vuckic (left) fires the ball home to put Rangers 2-0 ahead against Raith Rovers . Vuckic (left) celebrates his Ibrox goal with team-mate Kenny Miller . Nicky Law slots it home to get the first of his two goals for Rangers on Sunday afternoon . Law (right) wheels away as he celebrates his goal for the home side . Raith could have pulled a goal back moments later but a well-struck free-kick from Ryan Conroy on the edge of the box was blocked by Bell. The visitors fired out another warning to Rangers shortly after the restart. Lewis Vaughan tried his luck with a snap-shot that fell inches past the upright as Raith tried to haul themselves back into the game. At the other end, the hosts passed up a decent chance to all but secure the three points. Vuckic released Crawford and he tried to tee up the shot for Law but he failed to connect in front of goal and the chance was lost. However Law was celebrating when he added his name to the scoresheet after 72 minutes, putting the game beyond Raith. Law's first attempt crashed off the crossbar but the ball fell kindly to his feet and he had the net bulging with the rebound from eight yards. Tom Walsh then saw a terrific volley saved well by the goalkeeper, before Law completed his double when he curled home from the edge of the box with two minutes to go. Law (left) strikes the ball towards goal as he scores Rangers' fourth goal of the afternoon . Law (left) is congratulated by his Rangers team-mates on his Sunday afternoon double . Former Rangers striker Michael Mols was among those in the directors' box at Ibrox on Sunday .

Nicky Law scored two goals as Rangers comfortably beat Raith Rovers . Haris Vuckic and Nicky Clark also got on the scoresheet at Ibrox . Rangers had suffered defeat by Queen of the South on Thursday . But Stuart McCall's side recovered to keep up the pressure on Hibernian .


Stuart McCall  watched Rangers bounce back to winning ways before warning his players they must show further improvement in the push for promotion. The Ibrox side recovered from their defeat against Queen of the South as two goals from Nicky Law and one each from Nicky Clark and Haris Vuckic swamped Raith Rovers in a 4-0 victory. McCall, though, wasn’t happy with some of lax moments within their performance and insisted that better will be needed for Wednesday night’s trip to face a Livingston side fighting for survival. Nicky Law celebrates after putting his side 3-0 up as Rangers cruised to victory over Raith . That meeting with the Championship’s bottom club is Rangers’ game in hand over Hibernian, providing the chance to push three points clear in the battle for second place. ‘It was okay,’ reflected McCall on the victory over Rovers, who are locked in mid-table safety. ‘There were some nice goals, although we were sloppy at times. ‘For a little period in the second-half of 20 minutes, we went through the motions and we can’t afford to do that. ‘It was pleasing in a few senses with some nice goals, some decent football and a clean sheet. ‘But we certainly know that Wednesday night will be a different challenge. I was at the Alloa versus Dumbarton game on Saturday and you could sense that Alloa had everything to play for and Dumbarton nothing bar pride, obviously. ‘I thought the game today might pan out as it did, but Wednesday will be different with Livingston flying in terms of their recent results. ‘There is no singing and dancing today. We have done OK. I still think that we’ll need to be better and we can be better,’ said McCall. Stuart McCall has warned Rangers to be on their guard against Livingston in midweek . The pick of the Rangers goals again came from Vuckic, who has scored in each of his last five Ibrox appearances. The Newcastle United loanee has netted seven times in 12 Rangers outings overall. ‘We tried to swap it around by playing a diamond and by getting Haris into more space,’ added McCall, who expects another of the loanees, Shane Ferguson, to begin training with Rangers today. ‘But he still tends to head for the right-hand side, which is his favourite. ‘Every time he cuts in onto his left, you expect the net to bulge. ‘We had good footballers in there with him, Nicky Law, Dean Shiels and Andrew Murdoch, who I thought was terrific again. ‘I said from day one that Haris has got fantastic ability. ‘Obviously, he has got fitter having played more games now, and his match fitness is now looking strong at the end of games where he was flagging after 50 or 60 minutes earlier. ‘That’s just having more time on the park. He is important to us and he is a goal threat.’ Nicky Clark (left) heads it home to give Rangers an early lead . Raith Rovers manager Grant Murray feels Rangers have improved under McCall, but he also believes that whichever Championship side comes through the play-offs will face a difficult task to clear the final promotion hurdle. ‘They still have to go and play a Premier League team and there is a good chance that that team will have a winning mentality,’ said Murray. ‘People are talking about Ross County or Motherwell - well it won’t be an easy task going to these kind of places. ‘I think everyone is talking about how Rangers have picked up now and they look like a strong team who will finish second. ‘Hibs have had a fantastic season, too, in terms of the attacking football they play, but I think Queen of the South are also keeping themselves in there. ‘We knew Rangers would come at us after losing on Thursday and we knew it would be difficult. It is difficult coming to places like this and you have to stand up and have the right mentality. But going a goal down so early put us on the back foot.’

Rangers beat Raith 4-0 but McCall is aware of tough test Livingston will provide in midweek . He said he was concerned about some lax moments in the win at Ibrox . Rangers can go three points clear of Hibernian with a win . 'There is no singing and dancing today. We have done OK. I still think that we’ll need to be better and we can be better,' McCall said .


John Carver has labelled Moussa Sissoko's reckless lunge on Lucas as 'indefensible' as the Newcastle boss refused to make excuses for his captain. The midfielder was sent off for two bookings in the 2-0 defeat at Liverpool Sunday night, but he could've seen a straight red after he caught Lucas on the ankle. The defeat was Newcastle's fifth in succession and left them with work still to do to ensure they do not get pulled into the relegation battle. Moussa Sissoko lunges in and makes a terrible tackle on Liverpool midfielder Lucas . The 25-year-old was sent off for a second bookable offence during Newcastle's defeat at Anfield . Carver admitted Sissoko could easily have been shown a straight red, pulling no punches. He said: 'The sending off, it could have been a straight red, I will be honest. I have said that to Moussa, I am quite straight and I won't defend anyone if it is indefensible.' Asked if Sissoko could be fined, Carver said: 'I am sure there will be some kind of disciplinary procedure. I said before the game we needed to keep 11 players.' Lucas goes down in pain after Sissoko's nasty challenge at Anfield on Monday night . Newcastle manager John Carver labelled Sissoko's tackle as 'indefensible' While Carver did not complain about that decision, he was angry that Ayoze Perez did not earn a penalty after apparently being felled by Dejan Lovren. He said: 'The game hinged on a huge decision. I don't want to be seen to be a moaner but it is fact we don't get big decisions for whatever reasons, it could be me. I have spoken to the referee, but it doesn't help me.' Carver did see reason for some optimism, feeling that his side's performance was much improved from their derby loss to Sunderland last time out. Sissoko is given his marching orders by referee Lee Mason after picking up two yellow cards . He said: 'I thought the first nine minutes we were very tentative, nervous after our performance against Sunderland. It was a bad goal to concede. 'After that we grew into the game. It is easy to crumble at Anfield but we didn't. One or two guys rolled their sleeves up. 'I think we got a response. We didn't get a result but I saw enough. 'There are lot of positives to take from the game. A lot of people expected us to get a hiding and I think we held our own for the majority of the game.'

Moussa Sissoko sent off during Newcastle's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool . The French midfielder was booked twice but could've received straight red . Sissoko lunged in on Lucas and left his foot on the Brazilian's ankle . John Carver has no complaints with the sending off .


Sandro has defended former manager Harry Redknapp, saying he is not at fault for QPR’s predicament near the foot of the Premier League. Redknapp branded the situation at QPR a ‘soap opera’ and accused ‘people with their agendas’ of working against him before he left the club in February citing knee problems. Others, including Joey Barton, blame Redknapp’s recruitment in the summer transfer window and poor work on the training ground. Sandro has defended former manager Harry Redknapp, saying he is not at fault for QPR’s predicament . Redknapp branded the situation at QPR a ‘soap opera’ and accused people of working against him . But Brazilian midfielder Sandro said that Redknapp, who brought him to the club for £10million at the start of the season, should not shoulder all the blame, despite leaving the club second from bottom in the table, where they have continued to struggle under stand-in manager Chris Ramsey. ‘I don’t think it’s fair to blame him,’ he said. ‘I’m never going to put everything on the coach or the players, it is half and half because everyone has to pull together. If we don’t stay up it’s not Chris’s fault, not just our fault, it’s everyone together. Redknapp said he felt he would have kept Rangers in the Premier League next season if he were still in charge in west London. Some players blame QPR's slump on Redknapp’s recruitment during the summer transfer window . The QPR midfielder controls the ball during a training session on Friday . They may yet climb out of the drop zone under Ramsey after a 4-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion and a rollercoaster 3-3 draw with Aston Villa left them two points from safety. Sandro said he has seen a change in the mentality of his team-mates and thinks they can overcome league leaders Chelsea on Sunday. ‘Everyone, I can see in their face they want to fight, everyone is trying their best to stay up. Everyone now is a leader and makes a difference,’ he said.

Sandro insists he doesn't blame Harry Redknapp for QPR's struggles . Redknapp left the Premier League side in February citing knee problems . QPR midfielder claims it's 'not fair' to blame his former boss .


Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson thinks his side could catch Manchester City in the Barclays Premier League having fought through a tough and long season at Anfield. Henderson and Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet both played their 47th game of season in the 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Monday night, equalling the record for appearances by any player in the top five European leagues so far this campaign. But the England midfielder believes that after finding winning form again following poor results against Manchester United and Arsenal, Liverpool can pile the pressure on to City who sit four points above them in the race for the Champions League. Liverpool vice-captain Jordan Henderson thinks his side could catch Manchester City in the  Premier League . Henderson played his 47th game of season in the 2-0 win over Newcastle United on Monday night . Manchester City have been faltering and lost 4-2 at Manchester United, Liverpool are four points behind . 'We knew it was an important game for us,' Henderson said 'Obviously the last couple of weeks in the Premier League have been disappointing both with performances and results. We knew today we needed to put that right and I think we did that with a great result for us. 'We've got ground to make up but we'll just keep going, keep winning in games and putting in performances. Come the end of the season, you never know.' Raheem Sterling pulled off some fine skill to open the scoring in the ninth minute at Anfield before Joe Allen capitalised on a defensive mistake to score his first Anfield goal with 20 minutes to go. Raheem Sterling pulled off some fine skill to open the scoring in the ninth minute at Anfield on Monday night . Joe Allen capitalised on a defensive mistake to score his first Anfield goal to make it 2-0 with 20 minutes to go . 'It was great to get that goal to give us that two-goal cushion,' Allen said. 'It wasn't my best game but I got the goal and helped the team. It was important after the defeats.' Newcastle had what looked a strong shout for a penalty when Dejan Lovren appeared to foul Ayoze Perez in the area, and Allen admitted he thought it was a spot-kick. 'I did get a good view of it as I'd missed the ball in the build-up,' he said. 'It look a good shout for a penalty, but I didn't get one the other night. These things happen.' Liverpool's players congratulate Allen on his goal that secured another vital win in the Premier League battle .

Liverpool beat Newcastle United 2-0 at Anfield on Monday night . The win moved them to within four points of fourth-place Manchester City . Jordan Henderson has played a Europe-wide record 47 games this season . But he hopes Liverpool have staying power to put pressure on City .


Michael Vaughan has re-affirmed his interest in taking on the newly created role of director of England cricket - but only if he feels he can make a difference. A new post has been opened after Paul Downton lost his job as the England and Wales Cricket Board's managing director of cricket on Wednesday, with the job title also scrapped. Instead ECB chief executive Tom Harrison is keen to have Downton's replacement focus solely on performances, rather than administration duties, which has brought a number of former England captains into the fray. Michael Vaughan has re-affirmed his interest in taking on the newly created role of director of England cricket . Ashes 2005 winning skipper Vaughan is among the early frontrunners for the new role with the ECB . Ashes 2005 winning skipper Vaughan is among the early frontrunners although the former Yorkshire batsman admitted in his column with the Daily Telegraph he would need to know more about the role before committing. Vaughan, who since retirement has been a pundit and commentator for numerous media outlets, said: 'It will take honesty and unity to make a change. In (incoming ECB chairman) Colin Graves and Tom Harrison we have a chance to change English cricket and admit our problems. 'Let us finally do it. Stop looking at what your own county needs and ask what is best for English cricket moving forward and what is right for the England team to sustain a proper period of success. Paul Downton lost his job as the England and Wales Cricket Board's managing director of cricket . 'For the first time since retiring six years ago I am open to a conversation with the ECB. I am passionate about English cricket. I love the game and I always want England to move forward and be successful. 'I have a vision for the game and I think I will be one of many ex-players who will be more than willing to talk to the ECB to see what exactly the role is and how much influence it will wield over the future structure of our game. 'The brief has to be wider and more powerful than Paul's to have any real impact on England.'

Michael Vaughan wants to get new role of director of England cricket . But he says he will only do so if he feels he can make a difference . Paul Downton lost his job as manager director of cricket on Wednesday .


English cricket's new broom swept dramatically through the national team on Wednesday night when Paul Downton paid the price for their woeful World Cup by being sacked as managing director. The move came a day ahead of an ECB board meeting that was meant to discuss the future of a figure who has endured a traumatic time since replacing Hugh Morris in the aftermath of the Ashes whitewash. With more sackings inevitable, Sportsmail asks: Who's next? Alastair Cook . Downton was a supporter of Cook as Test captain but was persuaded to sack him as one-day captain three weeks before the disastrous World Cup campaign. The new ‘Director of England cricket’ might think Cook needs to go back to scoring runs at the top of the order after failing to convince as a tactician. Verdict: Vulnerable. Alastair Cook was sacked as one-day captain three weeks before the disastrous World Cup campaign . Peter Moores . An atrocious World Cup heaped even more pressure on the coach, whose reappointment last year by Downton has been mitigated only by last summer’s Test series win against India. Described as ‘the outstanding coach of his generation’ by Downton, Moores’ position is now as weak as it has been. Verdict: Vulnerable. Downton has left his role as managing director of England and Wales Cricket Board . Kevin Pietersen . It is almost inconceivable that barely six months after publishing one of the most vitriolic books in the history of sport, this high-maintenance player could be on the brink of a return. But Downton’s removal, and Giles Clarke’s departure, means the path is now clear for Pietersen if he scores runs for Surrey. Verdict: Return possible. Pietersen has rejoined Surrey in the hope of earning a place in the Ashes squad for England this summer . James Whitaker . The chairman of selectors and former Leicestershire captain has been involved in one of the grimmest periods in English cricket. Selections have been difficult to fathom at times and a series of well-publicised clangers have alienated the selector from players, spectators and media. Verdict: Sure to follow Downton out the door . The chairman of selectors James Whitaker (left) looks sure to follow Paul Downton through the exit door .

Paul Downton became the latest casualty of England's poor performances . His exit came a day ahead of an ECB board meeting into his future . He endured a traumatic time after replacing Hugh Morris after the Ashes . Downton's exit is not expected to be the last following poor World Cup .


Whether it is through Sir Bradley Wiggins, Geraint Thomas or Ian Stannard, Ireland's classics king Sean Kelly believes the time has come for Team Sky to break their duck in one of cycling's Monuments. With the two major cobbled classics - the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix - looming large over the next two weekends, it is time to see the early results of Sir Dave Brailsford's move to put more emphasis on the Spring Classics in his second five-year plan for Team Sky. With Wiggins electing to sign off his Team Sky career with an appearance at Paris-Roubaix on April 12, the races are bound to be a big part of the team's season whatever the outcome. British Bradley Wiggins competes during the  the Gent-Wevelgem one day cycling race on March 29 . The shift in emphasis has already paid dividends in the early part of the season, with Stannard defending his title at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Team Sky's third victory in the Belgian race, while Thomas last week won E3 Harelbeke - a key warm-up for this weekend's Tour of Flanders. Kelly, whose record of nine Monument wins puts him in a tie for third all-time, likes what he sees from Team Sky as the big races approach. 'Right now they're looking really good,' Kelly said. 'They've been very impressive in the semi-classics. Can they finish it off by winning a big one?' Team Sky's focus on the Grand Tours up to now has left them short of riders equipped to win classics, while the usually chaotic nature of the races is anathema to their favoured controlling tactics. But the development of Stannard and Thomas gives Team Sky two in-house contenders, while Wiggins raised eyebrows with his ninth-placed finish in Paris-Roubaix last year and he vowed to return. Luke Rowe could also be another British option for the team. Ian Stannard (3rd from front) rides in the Gent-Wevelgem one-day cycling race on March 29 . Injuries to classics specialists Fabian Cancellara (Trek Factory) and Tom Boonen (Etixx-QuickStep) - although the latter may return in time for Paris-Roubaix - add to the impression that Team Sky's best chance may be now. 'Without Cancellara, without Boonen, it's going to be a more open race,' said Kelly, who will commentate on both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix for Eurosport. 'There's going to be eight-10 guys saying they can win and Sky have three of them. Geraint is certainly in there, Stannard is maybe a little bit under his best after his crash (in the first Monument, Milan-San Remo on March 22) but can come back, and then of course there is Wiggins.' Of the three, Wiggins is yet to show the sort of form this season which suggests he can win Paris-Roubaix, but Kelly is not counting the 2012 Tour de France winner out, saying a Monument win to add to his Tour and world time trial success would elevate Wiggins to 'another level'. 'If you look at the way he's performing at the moment, for me, it's not as good as I would like him to be in the recent races, but you can't go to Paris-Roubaix with only one card to play,' Kelly said. Geraint Thomas celebrates placing third in the Belgian cycling classic Ghent-Wevelgem . 'With Thomas and Stannard as well, you play all of those cards and the rest look after them. If you can get to the final 10-12km and Wiggins is still there, that is where he can go on the attack.' To get to that point, Team Sky will need to be in survival mode in a usually attritional race known as 'the Hell of the North'. The brutal cobbled stretches, which require huge amounts of effort while increasing the chances of crashes and mechanical problems, create a nervousness in the peloton which makes planning all but impossible. Although Kelly never won the Tour of Flanders, finishing second in 1984, he was victorious in Paris-Roubaix twice, 1984 and 1986, and said the fear of the cobbles is something that never really left him. 'When I first went there I had a horrendous time - I was very nervous on the cobbles and I wasn't able to ride them well,' he said. 'I slowly developed and I was able to manage to ride them, but even when I got to the point of being a Paris-Roubaix favourite it's still very nervous times. 'It's a horrible race to ride, but a great race to win.'

Team Sky have never won one of cycling's five Monument races . The Tour of Flanders takes place next weekend with Ian Stannard and Geraint Thomas contenders fro Team Sky . Sean Kelly has backed them to finally break their duck .


Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina has a Premier League win ratio of 91.7 per cent - the highest of any player to have made at least 10 appearances. Following the Gunners' 1-0 win against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, the Colombia international took his tally to 11 wins from 12 games since he displaced Wojciech Szczesny as No 1 in January. Ospina has kept six clean sheets in those 12 games with his only defeat coming against Tottenham in the north London derby on February 7 to boast an impressive win percentage. But who else makes the top 10? Ospina has the highest win ratio of any Premier League player to make more than 10 appearances . The Arsenal goalkeeper has won 11 of his 12 games in the league since displacing Wojciech Szczesny . Former Manchester City defender Stefan Savic (right) won 10 of his 11 games in the league before being sold . Former Manchester City defender Stefan Savic, who was deemed not good enough after making just 11 Premier League appearances before being sold to Fiorentina, is second behind Ospina. The Montenegro international has a win ratio of 90.9 per cent after appearing on the losing side just once during his only season with the Premier League champions. Gerard Pique, who spent four years at Manchester United, makes up the top three after winning 10 of his 12 Premier League games before rejoining Barcelona and going on to win countless trophies, including a World Cup with Spain. Gerard Pique made 12 Premier League appearances for Manchester United, winning 10 of them . Arjen Robben posts an impressive 82.1 per cent win ration in the Premier League from 67 matches . Asier del Horno won 20 times during his only season in the Premier League with Chelsea in 2005-06 . Arjen Robben has arguably the most impressive stats of any player on the list for the number of appearances he made for Chelsea during a three-year spell. The Bayern Munich winger was on the winning side an incredible 55 times from his 67 games giving him a win ration of 82.1 per cent. Another former Chelsea player Asier del Horno is fifth on the list with 80 per cent and is followed by current Arsenal right back Hector Bellerin with 78.6. Arsenal right back Hector Bellerin (left) has won 11 of his 14 league games this season . Manchester United forward James Wilson has won 10 of 13 appearances in the league . Igor Stepanov made 17 appearances for Arsenal in the early 2000s and won 13 matches . Manchester United's 19-year-old striker James Wilson has only failed to be on the winning side three times from his 13 appearances putting him seventh on the list, while former Arsenal defender Igor Stepanovs' 76.5 per cent is enough to put him eighth. Nacho Monreal, currently preferred to Kieran Gibbs as Arsenal left back, has won 43 games from his 57 appearances for Arsene Wenger's side. United defender Paddy McNair sneaks into the top 10 with 75 per cent having featured 12 times under Louis van Gaal this season, winning nine. When did Ospina join Arsenal? Arsenal signed Ospina from Ligue 1 side Nice last summer. The 26-year-old made close to 200 appearances for the French club during six seasons. How much did Arsenal pay for him? Originally signed as back-up and competition for Wojciech Szczesny after the Gunners No 2 Lukasz Fabianski joined Swansea, Ospina cost a paltry £3million. Is he of international calibre? Ospina had won 52 caps for Colombia and impressed during their run to the World Cup quarter-final in Brazil last summer. When did Ospina make his first appearance for Arsenal? Ospina made his debut for Arsenal in a 2-1 defeat by Southampton in the third round of the Capital One Cup back in September and only made one further appearance in the Champions League before 2015. When did he displace Wojciech Szczesny as No 1? Ospina was recalled to the starting line-up as Arsenal beat Hull 2-0 in the FA Cup third round in January after Szczesny was at fault for both goals during a 2-0 defeat by Southampton. It later emerged that the Poland goalkeeper was caught smoking in the showers after the game. Ospina kept his place for the league game the following week and has played every Premier League match since. Did you know... Ospina is brother-in-law to Real Madrid midfielder and Colombia team-mate James Rodriguez. The former Monaco star married Ospina's sister Daniela in 2011.

Arsenal's David Ospina has won 11 of his 12 Premier League games . Arsenal keeper Ospina leads  players to have played more than 10 times . Stefan Savic and Gerard Pique make up top three, but who else features? CLICK HERE for all the latest Premier League news .


The greatest challenge to Rory McIlroy's grand slam bid or Tiger Woods' latest comeback at this week's Masters could come from Mother Nature. Players endured rainy spells during their  practice on Tuesday with forecasts that the wet weather is set continue once the tournament gets underway  on Thursday April 9. The typically warm and humid Georgia weather is expected to be unsettled by a cold front heading into Augusta for the weekend, which is likely to bring more showers and thunderstorms, especially on Friday and Saturday. Rory McIlroy hides under an umbrella as the heaven's open during practice on Tuesday . World No 1 makes his way through the rain ahead of his bid to complete a career grand slam . Dark clouds gather over the course as England's Lee Westwood practices his putting . The practice round ahead of the tournament was disrupted by bad weather in Augusta . McIlroy's caddie J.P. Fitzgerald holds an umbrella over the player's head to let him take a putt . Spectators, wrapped in an assortment of weatherproofs, are caught in a deluge while walking the course . Despite using an umbrella to shield himself from the elements on Tuesday, McIlroy could find himself facing record high temperatures on the first day of play - with the mercury expected to reach 90F, approaching the record 91F set in 2011. Augusta National has its own weather centre where officials can keep an eye on any extreme changes and evacuate players, spectators and staff from the course if necessary. According to Accuweather.com, Thursday and Sunday will likely be the best weather days at the tournament while Friday and Saturday carry potential for storms with strong winds. Many spectators were forced to watch their heroes hone their swings from under shelter, although the course's state of the art drainage system mean that play is unlikely to be delayed. Weather reports have forecast unseasonably high temperatures and stormy weather across the four days . Spectators may have to get used to taking cover beneath trees, especially on Friday and Saturday . A cold front coming over Georgia is likely to bring more stormy weather and strong winds . Golf fans flock to leave August National as the rain pours down on Tuesday . Spectators under shelter take a look at the tournament's order of play, beginning on Thursday morning . Water puddles on a seat with the Masters' logo with the start of the tournament only a day away .

Golf's first major of the season, the Masters, tees off on Thursday April 9 . Rory McIlroy is bidding for a career grand slam while Tiger Woods is back . Extreme weather conditions including high temperatures and storms have been forecast across the four day event in Augusta . CLICK HERE for all the latest news from The Masters 2015 .


The Masters 2015 is almost here. To help get you in the mood for the first major of the year, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Justin Rose, plus past Masters champions Nick Faldo and Charl Schwartzel, give the lowdown on every hole at the world-famous Augusta National Golf Club. Click on the graphic below to get a closer look at what the biggest names in the game will face when they tee off on Thursday.

The 79th Masters Tournament gets underway at Augusta National on Thursday . Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods will be the star attractions in the field bidding for the green jacket at 2015 Masters . McIlroy, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and more gave Sportsmail the verdict on each hole at Augusta . Click on the brilliant interactive graphic below for details on each hole of the Masters 2015 course . CLICK HERE for all the latest news from the Masters 2015 .


Dikembe Mutombo, an eight-times NBA All-Star who was famous for swatting away opponents' shots and wagging his finger at them, was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday. Mutombo, a shot-blocking Congolese centre whose legendary finger-wagging motion became one of the most recognized gestures in the game, was a four-times NBA Defensive Player of the Year and led the league in blocked shots for five straight seasons. Mutombo played in the NBA from 1991 until 2009, recording 11,729 points, 12,359 rebounds, and 3,289 blocks during 18 seasons spent mostly with Denver, Atlanta and Houston. Dikembe Mutombo (right) was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday . Mutombo was an NBA All-Star  famous for swatting away shots and wagging his finger at the oppositition . Mutombo played in the NBA from 1991 until 2009, recording 11,729 points, 12,359 rebounds, and 3,289 blocks . Three-times College Coach of the Year John Calipari, longtime NBA referee Dick Bavetta, four-times NBA All-Star Spencer Haywood, seven-times NBA All-Star Jo Jo White and three-times WNBA most valuable player Lisa Leslie were also among the 11 members named to the Class of 2015. They joined the five directly elected members who were announced earlier this year. The Class of 2015 will be enshrined at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts on September 11.

Dikembe Mutombo was an eight-times NBA All-Star  famous for swatting away opponents' shots and wagging his finger at them . He has been elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame . Mutombo played in the NBA from 1991 until 2009, and mostly spent his 18 seasons with Denver, Atlanta and Houston.


Chelsea match-winner Cesc Fabregas hailed a vital win after his late goal gave his side a 1-0 victory over QPR at Loftus Road. The game looked to be heading for a stalemate before Fabregas' 88th minute shot - their first on target in the game - found its way past Rob Green. The win moved Jose Mourinho's men seven points clear at the top of the table and Fabregas admitted it was an important goal. Midfielder Cesc Fabregas runs away in celebration having scored a vital winner in the 88th minute . 'It was vital. We know that we are playing for the most important trophy of the season,' the midfielder told Sky Sports. 'We're there in first place and we want to continue that.' He also paid tribute to the performance of QPR, saying: 'They were very difficult to play but we showed great mentality and never gave up in the difficult moments.' Cesc Fabregas wore a  protective mask during Chelsea's clash with QPR after breaking his nose last week . Cesc Fabregas' low strike, Chelsea's first shot on target, was enough to secure the win at Loftus Road . Chelsea striker Didier Drogba struggled to impose his game on a resolute QPR defence on Sunday . Blues striker Dider Drogba added: 'We had belief. We always play until the end. It was a tough game but the good thing with this team is we always play to the end.' Mourinho knew the win moved his side one step closer to a fifth league title, despite them having to work hard for it. 'Our situation was very positive. One point would be one less point we need, but the reality is that three points is always three points and one less match we need to win so is a very important step in a very important match,' he said. Nemanja Matic hugs his goalscoring team-mate Fabregas after the final whistle at Loftus Road . 'It was a very difficult match where the best quality was to control the game very well and stop our opponents scoring. 'They are a team that can score goals and have dangerous, attacking players so our best quality in the game was to keep calm and try to play against a team that was very well organised defensively and did a fantastic job,' added Mourinho. 'After that you have lots of times in the season when you win points or lose points in the end of the game, and we won two points in the last two minutes.' During the Chelsea celebrations at Loftus Road, the Blues were targeted by objects thrown from the crowd . Drogba celebrates the vital victory with team-mates John Terry (centre) and Branislav Ivanovic (right)

Chelsea scored late winner to beat QPR 1-0 at Loftus Road on Sunday . Cesc Fabregas scored with Chelsea's only shot on target . Chelsea move seven points clear at the top of the Premier League .


Brook Lopez dominated twin brother Robin with 32 points and nine rebounds as the Brooklyn Nets beat a weakened Portland Trail Blazers on Monday in the only game on the NBA schedule. The Trail Blazers left LaMarcus Aldridge and others home for the game that was postponed by bad weather on January 26 and couldn't stop Brook Lopez, who shot 15 for 25 from the field. Deron Williams added 24 points and 10 assists for the Nets, who closed in on a play-off spot in the Eastern Conference by winning for the ninth time in 11 games. Brooklyn Nets center Brook Lopez (left) takes aim for the basket around his twin brother Robin . Brook Lopez led the way for the Nets scoring 32 points as his side close in on a play-off place . They are in seventh place in the standings, one game ahead of Boston and two games up on Miami and Indiana. Damian Lillard scored 36 points for the Trail Blazers, who had won two in a row. Meyers Leonard had 17 points and 15 rebounds, while Robin Lopez had just eight points and seven boards. Besides Aldridge, Portland was without forward Nicolas Batum and backup center Chris Kaman.

Brooklyn Nets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 106-96 in New York . Brook Lopez scored 32 points for the Nets as they moved into seventh . Trail Blazers were without LaMarcus Aldridge and a number of others .


Gary Neville tore into Manchester City following their defeat against Crystal Palace by insisting the champions have a 'mentality problem' which prevents them from winning back-to-back titles. The former Manchester United and England defender saw City lose 2-1 to leave them in fourth - nine points short of Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League. 'They've got a mentality problem. There's no doubt,' Neville said on Monday Night Football. 'This team cannot sustain success. Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany leaves the field after their 2-1 defeat by Crystal Palace on Monday . Manuel Pellegirni is under pressure as City fell nine points behind Chelsea in the Premier League table . How the top of the Premier League table looks . 'When you win championships, you've got to be able to come back again and show the same hunger. They don't. They drop off it. They get to the top of the mountain and go, "phew, we did it", and it's the worst thing that can happen.' 'They are falling well short of where they should be. Make no mistake about that. It's now or never for this team. They can't progress beyond the knockout stages or the last 16 of the Champions League. 'They can't sustain success by winning back-to-back championships. They're getting older. Their average age is the highest in the league at 29 and a half. Unfortunately some of those lads not going to be there next season. They're going to pay for what is a disappointing season, it is looking like now. 'They're going to get into the top four but that Manchester City team with the ambition that they have got and with the quality they should be doing a lot better.' Gary Neville tore into  City following their defeat by insisting the champions have a 'mentality problem' Ex-Manchester United star Neville was on Monday Night Football with Sportsmail's Jamie Carragher (left)

Manchester City lost 2-1 against Crystal Palace on Monday night . Gary Neville: 'They've got a mentality problem. There's no doubt' Former Manchester United and England defender Neville on what is wrong with reigning champions City: 'This team cannot sustain success' JAMIE CARRAGHER: Yaya Toure ducked out of his duties in the wall . CLICK HERE for all the latest Man City news .


Fernando Torres has hailed manager Diego Simeone as the reason behind Atletico Madrid's success ahead of their Champions League quarter-final meeting with  Real Madrid. The reigning La Liga champions have surpassed expectations with the former Argentina midfielder in charge to become one of the most respected sides in Europe - where they reached last season's Champions League final before losing to their city rivals. Since then, Atletico have not been beaten by Cristiano Ronaldo and Co in six matches with victories in this season's Super Cup, King's Cup and both league clashes. Fernando Torres trains at the Vicente Calderon ahead of Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final . Manager Diego Simeone is reason behind Atletico Madrid's recent success, insists Torres . Simeone speaks to his players ahead of their European showdown with city rivals Real Madrid . (L-R) Diego Godin, Arda Turan, Cristian Ansaldi, Antoine Griezmann join Torres in training . The former Chelsea misfit, who has scored four goals since returning to his former club, was quick the lay the credit for success at his manager's door. 'It is his character as a player and as a coach that drives the team,' Torres said. 'He knows we are a team that needs to know what we are about, our weaknesses and our strengths, but above all our weaknesses so we can then implement our qualities. Simeone's side have not lost to Atletico Madrid in six meetings since the 2014 Champions League final . Atletico Madrid have exceeded most people's expectations by competing with the likes of Real and Barcelona . Former Chelsea midfielder Tiago (left) and defender Godin help each other with their stretches . Atletico Madrid's Mario Mandzukic (right) and Antoine Griezmann (centre) have fun with a photographer . 'We don't have the options that Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern [Munich] or Chelsea have, we cannot drop points and make up for them later. We are a team that plays at our limit.' Meanwhile, Torres is one of five Atletico players, including Cristian Ansaldi, Jesus Gamez, Gabi, and Mario Suarez who are one booking away from being suspended for the return leg. Carlo Ancelotti's side have Fabio Coentrao, Marcelo and Toni Kroos in the same position. Torres is consoled after scoring an own goal in Atletico's 2-2 draw with Malaga at the weekend .

Atletico Madrid host Real Madrid in Champions League quarter-final . Diego Simeone's side have not lost to their city rivals in six games . Former Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has hailed manager's influence .


Jolyon Palmer is determined to claim a place in Formula One next year after being given the perfect opportunity by Lotus to prove himself worthy. For the first time the Enstone-based marque are providing their test and reserve driver with a number of outings in Friday's first practice session ahead of grand prix weekends. Ordinarily in the past, Lotus' reserve has been nothing more than a spare part, stood on the sidelines whilst the race drivers completed their tasks. Jolyon Palmer will drive in every Friday practice session for Lotus this season . This year, however, Lotus have decided Palmer will get a shot, and not just as a driver doing all the donkey work too. Every Friday Palmer will be behind the wheel - as was the case in China last week and again in Bahrain this week - his run-plan will be similar to that of whoever he replaces. In China, Palmer was only 0.6secs behind Pastor Maldonado at the end of FP1, a tremendous effort given it was Palmer's first major outing at an F1 event. If Palmer can continue to push, or even on occasion better the times of Maldonado and team-mate Romain Grosjean, doors may open. 'I want to be really pushing the race drivers. That's the aim,' said Palmer. 'I'm pretty much running on the same run plan as those guys. It's not like we've seen in FP1 sessions before with other drivers where they have been on quali settings, engine turned up or low fuel. 'This year there's a direct comparison and I want to show why I should be racing next year.' Unfortunately for last year's GP2 champion, his lack of competitive work outside of his duties with Lotus may prove a hindrance. Palmer drives  during practice for the Chinese Grand Prix last weekend . The 24-year-old from Horsham would love to be keeping his hand in, but knows it is something he has to sacrifice to keep his F1 dream alive. 'I want to race, but only if I get the right offer,' added Palmer, son of former F1 driver Jonathan. 'If I get a good offer to do something that would be a good career move for me then I'd like to race. 'It's about keeping sharp. It's the one thing I'm missing this year. 'I'm loving working with Lotus and being in F1, but I'd love to be racing as well, so if I get a good offer I'd love to.' Palmer, though, is not actively seeking further employment because of his commitment to Lotus, adding: 'My main focus is all here and I'm really busy anyway. 'If something came my way then I would definitely consider it, but my main priority is Lotus and I will not compromise anything I do here by racing elsewhere. 'But if there is something that came along that could fit in with this then I'd be happy to do it.'

Jolyon Palmer will drive in every Friday practice session for Lotus . The Bit is determined to seize his chance with the team . In China, he was only 0.6 seconds behind Pastor Maldonado .


Kawhi Leonard matched his career best with 26 points and set a new career-high with seven steals as the San Antonio Spurs rolled past Golden State 107-92 on Sunday, ending the Warriors' 12-game winning streak while extending their own to seven straight. San Antonio also extended their home winning streak over Golden State to 32 straight, dating back to 1997, the season before Duncan arrived. Tim Duncan had 19 points and Danny Green added 18 points for San Antonio, who led by as many as 28 points. Kawhi Leonard was in exceptional form as the San Antonio Spurs defeated Golden State Warriors 107-92 . Leonard reaches for the basket during the Spurs win - he scored a career-high 26 points in the success . Leonard's heroics inspired the Spurs to their 32nd consecutive home win over the Warriors . 'Kawhi was magnificent at both ends of the court,' San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. 'He is really playing confidently, but he hasn't forgotten to predicate his game on defense and on the boards. It kind of fuels him offensively.' Stephen Curry had 24 points, but was harassed into 9-for-17 shooting by Leonard. Klay Thompson was held to six points for Golden State. 'This is the first time I think since Christmas that we haven't really been in a game,' Curry said. 'We'll be fine going forward.' Stephen Curry (right), seen here taking on Tony Parker, scored 24 points for the Warriors . The roles are reversed as Parker drives against Curry during a San Antonio attack . In other games, Indiana got injured star Paul George back just in time, beating Miami 112-89 to remain in contention for the play-offs. Houston overcame Russell Westbrook's 11th triple-double of the season to beat Oklahoma City 115-112, and LeBron James recorded his first triple-double since returning to Cleveland to lift the Cavaliers over Chicago 99-94. George finished with 13 points in 15 minutes - his first action for the Pacers since breaking his right leg on August 1. Luis Scola scored a season-high 23 points to lead Indiana to its second straight win. The Pacers moved into a tie with Miami for the No. 9 spot in the Eastern Conference. Both teams trail Boston by one game for the conference's eighth and final play-off spot. James Harden scored 41 points for the Rockets, who won for the seventh time in eight games. Paul George (right) returned from injury for Indiana as they beat Miami 112-89 to revive their play-off hopes . Oklahoma's Russell Westbrook shoots under pressure from Houston Rockets forward Josh Smith . LeBron James jumps for the basket during the Cleveland Cavaliers' 99-94 win over the Chicago Bulls . Harden and Westbrook, the league's top two scorers, both entered the game averaging 27.5 points per game. Harden made 12 of 22 shots and 6 of 9 3-pointers before fouling out with 33 seconds left, while Westbrook finished with 40 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds. The Thunder lost their third straight and only lead New Orleans by a half game for the No. 8 playoff spot in the Western Conference. In Cleveland, James finished with 20 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds, his first triple-double in a Cleveland uniform since May 13, 2010, two months before he left as a free agent for Miami. The Cavaliers made 16 3-pointers while winning their 18th straight home game and moving closer to a Central Division title and securing the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Kyle Irving of Cleveland (right) gets beyond Aaron Brooks of the Chicago Bulls during Sunday's game . Joakim Noah of the Bulls dunks after getting clear of Timofey Mozgov . Elsewhere, Blake Griffin scored 18 points and DeAndre Jordan added 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Los Angeles Clippers sent the Lakers to their team-record 56th defeat of the season. With six games still to play, the Lakers have surpassed last season's team as the worst in the 16-time champion franchise's illustrious history. The Clippers have won 10 of 11 down the stretch, staying in the tight five-team race behind Golden State for homecourt advantage in the first two rounds of the Western Conference playoffs. Utah topped Sacramento 101-95 and the New York Knicks beat Philadelphia 101-91 to end a nine-game losing streak. Blake Griffin (right) of the Clippers reaches for the basket under pressure from Tarik Black of the LA Lakers .

Leonard matched his career-best 26 points and seven steals . San Antonio beat Golden State 107-92 to continue 32-game home streak . Indiana beat Miami 112-89 to keep their play-off hopes alive . LeBron James recorded first triple-double as Cleveland beat Chicago .


Jordan Spieth believes he will be better equipped to cope with the pressure of trying to win the Masters after coming close to creating history last year. Spieth held a two-shot lead after seven holes of the final round 12 months ago as he looked to surpass the absent Tiger Woods as the youngest ever Masters champion, as well as being the first player to win on their tournament debut since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. That lead became a two-shot deficit as he bogeyed the eighth and ninth and Bubba Watson birdied the same holes, Watson eventually going on to win his second green jacket in the space of three years. Jordan Spieth plays a shot during a practice round at Augusta on Tuesday as he gears up for the Masters . Spieth believes he is better equipped to win the first major of the year after coming close on his debut in 2014 . The 21-year-old skims a ball across a lake at Augusta during a relaxed practice round . Spieth finished joint second with Sweden's Jonas Blixt and comes into this year's event having won his second PGA Tour title in the Valspar Championship and finishing second in his next two tournaments. Speaking about last year's final round, the 21-year-old said: 'That was definitely the highest amount of pressure I've ever felt. That first tee shot, I think I hit it into the ninth fairway and was just real quick off the tee. Played pretty much the entire round feeling different than I've ever felt on the golf course. 'I enjoyed it, but at the same time when you're feeling that kind of pressure, it's hard to get comfortable picking fearless shots, and then I kind of bailed out on a couple of swings, trying to look up a little quickly. 'I guess the hardest lesson taken from last year was that I had an opportunity to make a dream come true, and I had it in my hands, and then I was just a little anxious. You can make the excuse that as a first-timer and 20 years old, that that's likely to happen. Spieth, pictured in action at last year's Masters, threw away a two-shot lead to finish joint second in 2014 . Bubba Watson hugs Spieth after tapping in to win his second green jacket at Augusta last year . 'But in my mind, I was playing the best through 61 holes and had an opportunity to continue that the next 11 holes and didn't quite close it out.' Spieth, who has been paired with Henrik Stenson and Billy Horschel for the first two rounds, added: 'Last year I remember being in here saying I had no expectations, didn't know what it was going to be like, never played the tournament before. 'This year, I come in maybe expecting to play well on a course I feel very comfortable on. I feel like it suits my game nicely and also I feel like I've been playing well. 'Having been so close last year and having a little experience and riding some momentum, I hope to put myself in contention and use what I've learned since last year. 'I think last year's event, I certainly took a couple things out of it, as well as the positives that came from closing out a couple of tournaments at the end of the year and a few weeks ago.'

Jordan Spieth finished joint second on his Masters debut last year . The 21-year-old believes he is now better equipped to win at Augusta . He admits he learned things after throwing away a two-shot lead in 2014 . Spieth will play alongside Henrik Stenson and Billy Horschel on Thursday . READ: Sportsmail's Masters 2015 betting guide .


Marcelo insists Real Madrid's this season's meetings with local rivals Atletico Madrid will have no bearing on the outcome of their Champions League quarter-final tie. The reigning champions face Diego Simeone's side at Vicente Calderon on Tuesday night in the first leg of the last eight clash having failed to beat their neighbours in six attempts this season. Carlo Ancelotti's side lost both La Liga matches against Atletico this season - 2-1 at the Bernabeu before a humiliating 4-0 away defeat - and have also been beaten twice and held to two draws in the Spanish Supper Cup and the Copa del Rey. Marcelo says Real Madrid's failure to beat Atletico in six attempts this season will have no affect on their Champions League quarter-final tie . Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo looked relaxed in training on Monday ahead of Tuesday's first leg . Brazil international Marcelo faces the media on Monday ahead of Tuesday's match at Vicente Calderon . But Brazil international Marcelo says he and his team-mates are not thinking about their recent form against Tuesday's opponents. 'We have played against Atletico a lot and something always changes,' Marcelo told reporters at a press conference on Monday. There are no favourites in a match like this. We will give everything on the pitch without thinking about previous games.' 'They are a great team. They never stop fighting and they are very intense. But we are not thinking about the last games against them. Now is completely different. We have two games to show that we can beat them.' Ronaldo and Bale leave the field dejected after Real Madrid were beaten 4-0 by Atletico in February . The last time Real Madrid beat their local rivals was in the Champions League final last season . Carlo Ancelotti and Marcelo task questions at the pre-match press conference . 'We have to go out and give everything on the pitch this time. We will have to be very intense. We will have to fight. These derbies are very difficult.' The last time Real beat Atletico was in last season's Champions League final when Sergio Ramos scored in the 93rd minute to take the game to extra-time, before Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo made it 4-1. 'I don't know how many times we have spoken about Ramos' Decima goal this week,' Marcelo added. 'I was available for the final and I never lost faith in helping the team. That's what happened and I was able to help the team win the Champions League. I consider myself very important in this team.'

Real Madrid haven't beaten local rivals Atletico in six attempts this season . They clash in the first leg of the Champions League last eight on Tuesday . Marcelo says the players are not thinking about their recent record .


Al Horford and DeMarre Carroll scored 20 points each to help the Atlanta Hawks match a franchise record with their 57th win, beating the Brooklyn Nets 131-99 on Saturday night. However, the Hawks lost forward Paul Millsap to a right shoulder injury in a collision with Brooklyn's Earl Clark with 1:52 left in the first half. There was no foul called on the play which left Millsap sprawled on the floor. He grimaced as he held his shoulder while walking off the court. Millsap did not return and finished with eight points and five assists. The Hawks provided no immediate details on the injury. Al Horford scored 20 points as the Atlanta Hawks crushed the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night . DeMarre Carroll also scored 20 points as Atlanta notched up their 57th victory of the season . Jeff Teague added had 17 points as Atlanta never trailed while ending the Nets' season-best six-game winning streak. Bojan Bogdanovic led Brooklyn with 19 points. The Hawks topped their previous season high of 130 points on John Jenkins' 3-pointer with 54 seconds remaining. Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer has given his starters generous rest since the team clinched first place in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Hawks returned to a normal rotation against the Nets and looked ready for the postseason while racing to a 66-48 halftime lead. The teams could meet in the playoffs, but Budenholzer said before the game 'We can't hold anything back. We're just going to play.' Paul Millsap left the game early after picking up a shoulder injury in the first half . Millsap's injury was the only bad news of the first half for the Hawks. Atlanta shot 7 for 12 on 3-pointers in the half and also had stirring jams from Horford and Teague. Reggie Jackson scored 15 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter, including the winning layup with 5 seconds remaining, and the Detroit Pistons rallied to beat the Miami Heat 99-98. Andre Drummond had 11 points and 17 rebounds for his 44th double-double, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope scored 19 points and Anthony Tolliver added 15 for the Pistons. Detroit rallied from 15 down in the fourth and closed with a 21-6 run over the final 5:36 to get the win. Dwyane Wade scored 24 points and Goran Dragic had 21 for the Heat. Luol Deng added 13 points and Hassan Whiteside had 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Western Conference leading Golden State Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks in Texas . Marcus Smart celebrates his winning basket as the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors in overtime . Marcus Smart hit a buzzer-beating layup in overtime and the Boston Celtics beat the Toronto Raptors 117-166 and moved into the playoff berths. With 2.6 seconds left and Boston trailing by one, Smart took a pass from a driving Isaiah Thomas and sneaked behind the collapsing Toronto defense to score the winning basket, silencing the sellout crowd of 19,800. Thomas scored 25 points, Tyler Zeller had 20 and Evan Turner added 18 points and 10 assists for the Celtics, who moved one-half game ahead of Miami in the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff berth after the Heat's loss at Detroit. Klay Thompson scored 21 points and the Golden State Warriors clinched home-court advantage throughout the playoffs with their 12th straight victory, beating the Dallas Mavericks 123-110. The Los Angeles Clippers were far too strong for the Denver Nuggets in a 107-92 victory . The Warriors (63-13) need one more victory to assure finishing with the best record in the NBA for the first time since 1975-76. They hold the tiebreaker on Atlanta for the top overall seed. Stephen Curry scored 11 points while big men Andre Iguodala and Maurice Speights got into the long-range fun mostly reserved for Splash Brothers Curry and Thompson. Both finished with 18 points. Dirk Nowitzki had 18 points to lead the Mavericks. Also Saturday, the Los Angeles Clippers had a 107-92 win over the Denver Nuggets, the Orlando Magic beat the Milwaukee Bucks 97-90, the Charlotte Hornets edged the Philadelphia 76ers 92-91 and the Washington Wizards topped the Memphis Grizzlies 92-83.

Atlanta Hawks beat Brooklyn Nets 131-99 on Saturday night . Win was 57th of the season for Eastern Conference leaders . Hawks' Paul Millsap suffers a shoulder injury in first half . Boston Celtics beat Toronto Raptors in overtime to boost play-off hopes . West leaders Golden State Warriors see off Dallas Mavericks 123-110 .


Roberto Carlos has revealed his desire to one day become manager of Brazil and the former Real Madrid defender claims he finds coaching 'very easy' after the pressures he faced as a player. The 42-year-old, a World Cup winner in 2002, has already worked on the sidelines in Turkey with Sivasspor and  Akhisar Belediyespor. He guided Sivasspor to sixth place in the 2013-14 Turkish Super Lig but departed in December after a poor start the following year. Roberto Carlos claims to find coaching 'easy' and is targeting becoming the manager of Brazil . As a player with Brazil, Carlos (right) won the 2002 World Cup held in Japan and South Korea . Carlos (second left) celebrates winning the Champions League in 2000 by beating Valencia 3-0 in the final . Despite that, Carlos has not had his confidence shaken and aims to eventually lead Brazil. 'My objective is to coach the national team,' Carlos said to Folha de Sao Paulo. 'I know I have a long way to go yet and for that reason I won't put a timeframe on how long it will take. 'Everything I experienced in the national team was amazing. I was there for 14 years and won several titles: the Copa America, Confederations Cup and the World Cup.' Carlos added that he learnt something from all the managers he worked under as a player, including the current England boss Roy Hodgson at Inter Milan, and thinks it could be why he finds coaching straightforward. Carlos (right) added that he has learnt a lot from the managers he worked for as a player . Carlos played for a number of top coaches, such as England managers  Fabio Capello (left) and Roy Hodgson . 'It's very easy,' he explained. 'I was well prepared by playing football and living under pressure. I spent my career at big clubs. 'I've learned something from all the coaches I've worked with: (Mario) Zagallo, (Carlos Alberto) Parreira, (Vicente) Del Bosque, (Fabio) Capello, (Luiz Felipe) Scolari and Roy Hodgson.'

Roberto Carlos says the pressures faced as a player makes coaching easy . He won the World Cup with Brazil and  Champions League with Real Madrid . The former defender said he learnt from all the managers he played under .


Barcelona players were put through their paces as they put the finishing touches to preparations for the Champions League quarter-final clash with French giants PSG. The first-leg of the highly anticipated tie will take place at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday. Speaking to the club's official website, defender Adriano warned his team-mates ahead of the game they must be at their absolute best if they are to overcome PSG's star-studded squad, which includes the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Lucas Moura. He said, 'We have to be alert throughout the match. If we make any mistakes, even small ones, they have excellent players that can break the game.' Xavi Hernandez (centre) is challenged by Rafael (left) and Javier Mascherano (right) during training . Barcelona players are put through their paces ahead of the Champions League quarter-final with PSG . Barcelona goalkeeper Marc Andre Ter-Stegen (centre) in action during the club's training session on Monday . Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique watches over his players in training as they prepare to travel to PSG . Barca have already encountered PSG twice during this year's Champions League campaign, as the two sides were drawn together in the group stage. The Catalans triumphed 3-1 on home soil at the Nou Camp, but were defeated 3-2 in their last trip to the French capital. Adriano conceded that 'this game will be tricky' and said Barcelona must brace themselves for PSG to 'come at us with a lot more intensity' than they did earlier in the season. Claudio Bravo (centre) enjoys a joke with his team-mates during the training session before facing PSG . The full-back, who won 17 caps for Brazil between 2003 and 2013, was also quizzed on the Brazilian players in PSG's squad. Laurent Blanc's side boast five Brazil internationals - in Silva, Lucas, Marquinhos, Maxwell and David Luiz. And Adriano was quick to heap praise on his fellow countrymen - 'all of them are excellent players' - but noted Lucas in particular as the main threat for the opposition. 'Lucas we know is a dangerous player. In the games we've seen him, he's a player who's very difficult to cover.' Barcelona forward Lionel Messi controls the ball during the training session ahead of the game against PSG . Barcelona striker Neymar (left) in action during the training session at the Ciutat Esportiva on Monday .

Barcelona take on PSG in the Champions League quarter-final . The first-leg of the tie will be played at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday . The two sides were drawn together in the group stage earlier this season . Barca defender Adriano has warned this time will be more intense . He has singled out Lucas Moura as a particular threat for PSG .


It's being billed as the Euro-derby in Madrid and depending on who you support the precedent is either last season's Champions League final or the six games that have been played between Real and Atletico since then. In Monday's pre-match press conference almost every question asked to Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti made reference to the fact that in six Madrid derbies this season Real are yet to win a single game – losing four and drawing two as Atletico have beaten them twice in the league and in the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey. But a remarkably relaxed Ancelotti, showing the kind of form in press room that he will hope his players show on the pitch Tuesday, reminded everyone that his team did not need to win. Two draws could see them go through so what was the problem? He said he didn't see Barcelona's slip on Saturday night against Sevilla because he was at the cinema 'enjoying a film' and when he was asked about Atletico Madrid's threat from set-pieces he responded: 'Don't forget we won the Champions League with a set-piece last season.' Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says he is not obsessed with Atletico Madrid ahead of Tuesday's clash . Madrid-based papers Marca (left) and AS are looking ahead to the Champions League quarter-final first leg . Sergio Ramos (centre) scored an injury-time equaliser for Real as they beat Atletico 4-1 aet in the Champions League final last season at Benfica's Stadium of Light in Lisbon . However, Atletico are unbeaten in six Madrid derbies this term and dumped Real out of the Copa del Rey . His reference to Sergio Ramos' injury-time goal against Atletico Madrid in Lisbon that levelled Diego Godin's header and allowed Real to run in riot in extra-time will have struck a chord with Real supporters who in the build-up to the game have been busy reminding their rivals that while they may have won none of the last six meetings they did come out on top in the match that mattered more than any other. Real Madrid are at full strength for the game and that seems to have left Ancelotti as upbeat and confident as at any time so far this season. He toyed with his Spanish inquisitors when they questioned him about whether or not Gareth Bale would start the game. The Welshman was rested at the weekend but will be in the XI on Tuesday night. 'If Bale is not 100 percent fit he will not play because we have everyone available' said Ancelotti leaving a pregnant pause. But as the possibility that Spanish favourite Isco might start the game presented itself the Italian coach added: 'But he is 100 percent.' He added: 'Bale was fantastic last season but had been really good this season. He came good in the big finals scoring in the Champions League and Copa del Rey finals so let's see how he performs now in the final months of the season.' Gareth Bale (centre) is set to start for Real after being rested at the weekend against Eibar on Saturday . Like Ramos, Bale was also on target during Real's Champions League final success over Atletico last season . The feeling among Real Madrid's coaching staff is that while Bale has been criticised by the Madrid press for not being the team player that Isco is, his ability to win a big final with a goal or an assist is unmatchable. Anelotti added: 'I am not obsessed with Atletico Madrid,' mentioning 'attitude' several times in his positive discourse and admitting that was the key missing ingredient from Real Madrid's 4-0 defeat to Atletico in February. He said facing Simeone was 'honour and a problem' and picked out Atletico Madrid's resilience when asked what their greatest quality was. 'They fight from the first minute to the last,' he said. Atletico Madrid fans believe that fight will see them overcome Real Madrid for the seventh time this season and the Vicente Calderon will be full for what, with their title hopes now gone, is their game of the season. Real's swagger has been rediscovered though, wth the return of key players Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez and Luka Modric. Ancelotti recalled the moment Modric' corner was headed in by Ramos in Lisbon. 'It's a wonderful memory,' he said. 'Now we have the challenge of going for Real Madrid's 11th European Cup. Real know they face a stern test against an Atletico side that beat them 4-0 when they last met in February . Ancelotti hails pitting his wits against Atletico boss Diego Simeone as an 'honour and a problem' The return of midfielder Luka Modric (centre) from injury has revitalised Real in recent weeks .

Atletico Madrid host Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Vicente Calderon on Tuesday night . Real beat Atletico 4-1 aet in the Champions League final  last season . Atletico are unbeaten in six Madrid derbies this season against their rivals .


Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Lucas Moura has revealed he is 'obsessed' with the way fellow South American Lionel Messi plays football. Brazilians and Argentines are known to be rivals when it comes to football, however Moura has singled out Messi for special praise ahead of his side's Champions League encounter against Barcelona. Moura, speaking to AS, said: 'He has always been my idol. PSG star Lucas Moura has lauded Lionel Messi ahead of his side's Champions League encounter . Moura has singled out Messi for special praise ahead of Wednesday night's match at Parc des Princes . 'For some time I've been obsessed with his way of playing. I think he's the best player in the world, above all the rest. 'We must be realistic and Messi is the best. Of course, there is always a rivalry between Brazil and Argentina but we are a football country. 'It will be very difficult to play against him. We will have to work hard to stop him. If we get the victory it will be close.' PSG play host to Barcelona on Wednesday night before facing the La Liga giants at the Nou Camp on April 21. PSG go into their Champions League clash against Barcelona on the back of winning the French League Cup .

PSG star Lucas Moura has lavished praise on Barcelona star Lionel Messi . Moura has put Brazil's rivalry with Argentina to one side to laud Messi . PSG face Barcelona at Parc des Princes on Wednesday night . READ: PSG boss Laurent Blanc feels his side have hit momentum .