Blackburn Rovers manager Gary Bowyer has praised the "phenomenal" performance of his side as they knocked Stoke out of the FA Cup.

Peter Crouch had given the Premier League team the lead early on.

But striker Josh King responded with a hat-trick and forward partner Rudi Gestede slotted home a penalty as Geoff Cameron was sent off.

"It was phenomenal and I'm delighted for everyone connected with the club," Bowyer told BBC Radio Lancashire.

Andrew, in Aberdeen, via text: I blamed my poor tennis form as a teenager on my hair being too long. As soon as I had it trimmed, I started winning again. Now I never play a match without getting a hair cut beforehand.

Sadly, we don't have a picture of Andrew to back this up, so here's an impression of what we think the 'before and after' would look like, posed by a model.

Image source, Getty Images

England batsman Ravi Bopara has tweeted his joy at joining Sunrisers Hyderabad for the 2015 Indian Premier League.

Image source, Ravi Bopara on Twitter

England captain Eoin Morgan might be struggling for form but, along with team-mate Ravi Bopara, was bought to play for Sunrisres Hyderabad at the 2015 Indian Premier League auction.

Ex-England batsman Kevin Pietersen was also bought by the same team as all three players went for their base price with no-one competing with the Sunrisers for their signatures.

The Delhi Daredevils paid £900,000 for Pietersen last year but he went for £205,000 this time around. Morgan was £156,000 and Bopara £100,000.

Indian Yuvraj Singh topped the price list for the second year running, with Delhi Daredevils paying a record £1.6 million for his services.

Image source, Getty Images

Richard Conway
BBC Radio 5 live sports news correspondent

Image source, EPA

Luis Figo is to launch his manifesto for the Fifa presidential election this Thursday at Stamford Bridge.

Advisers for the former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Portugal winger say he will also speak "about his plan to restore the credibility and rebuild trust in football's world governing body".

Image source, Getty Images

Martin Breslin:, external Massimo Taibi blaming his studs for conceding a goal at Old Trafford.

Egbah Ikpomwosa Andrew:, external Tiger Woods and the change of swings and golf sticks. He didn't complain about them when he had the 14 majors.

Poor Massimo Taibi. He played just four matches for Manchester United after arriving from Venezia in 1999. The low point, as Martin notes, was the soft goal he conceded to Southampton's Matt Le Tissier in a 3-3 Premier League draw at Old Trafford in September 1999.

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WBC and WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather says he is "hopeful" a fight with Manny Pacquiao can happen, but an agreement has not yet been reached.

American Mayweather, 37, and Filipino Pacquiao, 36, recently exchanged phone numbers at a US basketball game.

"I haven't signed yet and he hasn't signed yet," said Mayweather.

"It's just been speculations and rumours. But I'm hopeful we can make the fight happen."

Barrel, in Southampton, via text: I once lost a squash match and blamed it on the fact that I was wearing new socks. They were too fluffy, causing my feet to slide in my trainers and overheat. A valid excuse I thought.

Absolutely. Today's Sportsday tip: Never play racquet sports in fluffy footwear. You wouldn't catch Gregory Gaultier or Nicol David going for British Open glory in bunny slippers, would you?

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France second row forward Pascal Pape has been cited over the incident that saw him yellow carded during Saturday's 18-11 Six Nations defeat against Ireland in Dublin.

Pape appeared to knee Ireland forward Jamie Heaslip in the back. Ireland are waiting to discover the extent of Heaslip's injury.

West Indies batsman Darren Sammy and Ireland pace bowler John Mooney have each been fined 30% of their match fee for swearing during their World Cup match in New Zealand on Monday.

Both incidents happened during the first innings of the match in which Ireland beat West Indies by four wickets.

"Sammy was heard on television screens using inappropriate words after playing a shot in the 34th over," the International Cricket Council said in a statement.

"While in the second instance Mooney swore several times when a fielder dropped a catch in the 45th over."

Benjamin Snell:, external Remember the World Cup Brazil 2014? Uruguay fans blamed their caramel spread being confiscated for the 3-1 loss to Costa Rica.

Polite Gregory:, external Ronnie O'Sullivan claimed the shock of a female streaker during the 1997 Masters final, external broke his concentration.

Tom Sefton:, external Charlton blaming the "pitch was a beach" farce for a 1-4 defeat at Chelsea in 2003.

BBC Sport's Stephan Shemilt in Australia: "Because TMS producer Henry Moeran forgot his shades, I found myself back at the Adelaide Oval today, happening upon the brilliant Bradman Collection.

"Inside are any number of fascinating accounts, pictures and even bats from the Don's career. But, the best part is a replica of the water tank against which the young Don learnt the game, complete with stump and golf ball for punters to have a try. I'm going to ask Geoffrey Boycott to have a go."

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Former England captain Michael Vaughan is worried by the form of current one-day skipper Eoin Morgan.

Morgan made his third duck in four ODIs as England opened their World Cup campaign with a thumping 111-run defeat to co-hosts Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"When Morgan first came into the England side, he did not think. He just watched the ball and tried to hit it. At the moment, he looks like he is trying to play a technical game," Vaughan wrote in his column in the Daily Telegraph., external

"I want to see the old Eoin Morgan back. He used to take risks. He was the X-factor player."

Image source, Getty Images

Robert Williams:, external Harry Redknapp blaming snow for West Ham's FA Cup draw at Wrexham in January 1997. We beat them at Upton Park in the replay, no snow.

Ross Crombie:, external I blame a lack of ability on my part.

Kenny McLeod:, external One of the many recent Ayr Utd slumps was blamed on our black strips for making us "look like death and play like murder".

We're asking for your oddest explanations for sporting failure, after golfer Paul Lawrie blamed his slump in form on withdrawal symptoms as he tried to give up fizzy soft drinks.

That's Tim Sherwood's first news conference as Aston Villa boss wrapped up - he's made it pretty clear that Premier League survival is the priority. He will aim to take the first step towards that target at home to Stoke this Saturday. Interesting times ahead at Villa Park.

New Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood on appointing his backroom staff: "I'm giving it thought. I haven't made any decisions yet and any that I make will be in best interests of the club."

New Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood on getting the job at Tottenham in December 2013, and lasting five months as manager: "I was chosen for the job but Daniel Levy, the chairman, had a lot of options. He didn't have to choose me. I'm hoping to be here as long as I was at Tottenham."

Reporter: But longer as a manager? "Yes."

Sherwood joined Spurs as an assistant first-team coach in 2008 - hence the reporter's request for clarification.

New Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood: "You've got to try to win football matches. We've got good players. I remember facing Christian Benteke as a manager and I know what a handful he can be. There are a lot of big names in that squad and none of them want to get relegated."

New Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood on taking over at the club: "We are not a one-man team. It's not only striker Christian Benteke. There are a lot of players at the club and they need to step to the front as well."

Image source, Reuters

New Aston Villa boss Tim Sherwood on taking over at the club: "It's a fantastic opportunity and huge football club. When I got the call it was a no brainer and I said yes first and we'll negotiate afterwards."