Sport

Man City defeated West Brom 3-0 at The Etihad on Saturday to keep pressure on the league leaders, only for Jose Mourinho’s men to beat Hull City 3-2 on Sunday.

Juan Mata notched either side of half time to put the Manchester United into a commanding lead at Anfield, though ten-man Liverpool – who had substitute Steven Gerrard sent off in the first minute of the second half – did pull one back through Daniel Sturridge.

Although Adam El-Abd’s last minute winner sealed a comeback for 10-man Bury against Northampton, Flitcroft bemoaned the standard of the surface in a week when Shakers chairman Stewart Day reiterated their ambition for Championship football.

Rochdale triumphed 3-1 at Spotland thanks to goals from Michael Rose, Ian Henderson and Peter Vincenti while Kevin van Veen netted for Scunthorpe.

Conor Wilkinson’s low drive after linking with Danny Philliskirk after 74 minutes proved to be the game’s only goal, helping Oldham end a three-match losing streak.

Bobby Denning, who has held his position since October 2013 and has worked for the LCB in various roles for 14 years, accepts that cricket faces serious challenges to arrest decreasing levels of participation.

What has brought about Wigan’s decline from battles with European heavyweights to propping up the second tier of English football?

City lie six points behind leaders Chelsea, who also have a game in hand, and with both sides crashing out of the Champions League each team will be entirely focused on the league title race.

The Latics currently sit 22nd in the table and six points adrift of safety with just eight games left of the season and welcome the Trotters to the DW Stadium.

Manchester United’s record signing Angel Di Maria believes their final league position could be decided by their next few games- starting with Sunday’s trip to Liverpool.

Crewe have lost five of their last six and, just two points off the relegation zone, are mired in a battle for their League One survival as Oldham seek to pull clear of the lower part of the table.