The Sports Matrix: Thursday 13 December 2012

Swans through to semi-final after fortunate victory

Swansea City reached the semi-final of the League Cup for the first time in their history last night with a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the quarter-final at the Liberty Stadium.

Michael Laudrup, the Swansea manager, said after Seb Hines' own goal had given the Swans the win: "It was a very important victory and now we're in the last four and the semi- finals. It was nice to see that goal go in after 81 minutes. It was a very tight game tonight and we suffered in the first half because Middlesbrough did very well.

"They are a good side, and we may be playing them next year in the Premier League. In the second half we came out and dominated like we normally do at home. But let's see what happens now in this competition."

Defender Gary Monk added: "At this stage of the competition you start to dream but it was a tough game tonight against Middlesbrough. They are a good side, who are doing well in the Championship. We're not thinking we are going to win this, we are thankful to be in the semi-final." MORE

Miley beats Ye for 400m gold

Hannah Miley, who failed to win a medal at the 2012 Olympic Games, yesterday won Great Britain's first gold at the World Short-Course Championships, beating the Chinese Olympic champion Ye Shiwen in the 400m individual medley in Istanbul. MORE

Blues suffering jetlag in Japan

Chelsea take on Mexican side Monterrey in the semi-final of the Club World Cup in Japan today, with interim coach Rafael Benitez admitting his squad are suffering with jetlag. "My main focus and that of my players is to try and sleep more than four hours," he said. MORE

Injured Kompany to see specialist

Manchester City's captain, Vincent Kompany, will see a specialist about the hamstring injury which forced him out of last Sunday's derby against Manchester United and, after he missed training yesterday, he looks doubtful for Saturday's trip to Newcastle United.

Gazidis apologises to Arsenal fans

The Arsenal chief executive, Ivan Gazidis, apologised to fans' groups at a meeting last night for the club's elimination at the hands of League Two side Bradford City at Valley Parade in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday, a result which he said left him "upset and angry". MORE

Adams proud of fairy-tale ending

Speaking to i, Britain's Nicola Adams, who became the first female boxer to win an Olympic gold medal at the Games in London, described her historic success as a "fairy-tale ending". "My life has totally changed," she said. MORE

Gatland omits Edwards from tour

The British and Irish Lions head coach, Warren Gatland, yesterday decided not to make his assistant at Wales, Shaun Edwards, part of his coaching staff for next year's tour of Australia. "That decision was pretty agonising," he said. MORE

Watson favourite for US captaincy

Tom Watson has displaced David Toms as favourite to be named as the US Ryder Cup team captain for Gleneagles in 2014. Watson, 63, would be the oldest to have held the role. "I'd like to go back as captain," he said last weekend. MORE

Murray focused on Miami training

Resisting the chance to attend this Sunday's BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards, nominee Andy Murray will concentrate on training in Miami, saying missing a few days could affect his Australian Open performance. MORE

Olympics out of reach for Kauto

Kauto Star could compete in international dressage within three years but has no hope of making the next Olympics. "That takes years of training," Team GB's chairman of selectors, David Trott, said. MORE

James Lawton

Liverpool showed a degree of nerve in appointing Brendan Rodgers. If Arsenal, for all their admiration for Arsène Wenger, left, do not see a similar need of their own now, when? MORE