Image source, Reuters

The England coach on trailing Ireland by two points with two matches to play: "This time last year Ireland were probably sat in the same position as us and two weeks later they were sat with medals around their necks.

"We do rely on other results but we have two home games and Ireland have got to go to Wales, who have huge motivation."

BBC Sport's women's football reporter Tony Leighton in Larnaca: "The GSZ Stadium, a couple of miles from the coast, is sun-filled but virtually empty of spectators as Mark Sampson's team troop off at the interval having comfortably controlled the opening period.

"Scotland are set to face Italy when they kick off their Group A campaign at 15:.30 GMT in Nicosia."

Peep, peep, peeeeep! The referee blows time on a routine first half for England in their Group B opener.

Mark Sampson's side lead through Lianne Sanderson's header as they disappear down the tunnel for a breather. And perhaps a half-time orange if they're lucky.

Finland go into the break for a rethink. They haven't had a single shot on the England goal.

Switching codes now, and Hull have named centre Steve Michaels in their squad just days after a warrant was issued for his arrest in Australia linked to an alleged drugs scandal in the National Rugby League.

BBC Wales Sport:, external Wales duo Mike Phillips and Jamie Roberts available to play for Racing Metro vs Grenoble but lock Luke Charteris a doubt with a dead leg.

England are continuing to do most of the running in the warm Cypriot air - which is pleasing the few hardy souls (or sensible souls who want some winter sun) following the Three Lions.

But Three Lions boss Mark Sampson might be hoping his side can add at least another goal to the scoreboard before the break. About 10 minutes to go.

Your memorable sporting altercations. Please keep them coming in to #sportingspats and the BBC Sport Facebook, external page.

Adam Bennet:, external That season where Fergie and Rafa Benitez had a huge spat! [The latter] resorted to "facts", anyone would have thought it was a court case.

Kevin Roome:, external Mark Ilott and Robert Croft in the NatWest Trophy semi-final, their wives were sat next to each other watching the game.

Image source, Getty Images

The third county cricket signing of the day sees Gloucestershire recruit batsman Peter Handscomb following his big-hitting exploits in Australia's Big Bash.

Although born in Melbourne, the 23-year-old has a British passport because his parents are English and will appear for the county as a non-overseas player in all formats of the game.

Handscomb, a Melbourne Stars team-mate of Kevin Pietersen, hit 103 not out off 64 balls against the Perth Scorchers last month.

Breakthrough! After that earlier chance for Eniola Aluko, England continue to press and are rewarded through Lianne Sanderson's opener.

The Arsenal star loses her marker inside the Finland penalty area to firmly head in left-back Alex Greenwood's cross at the back stick.

Slow start over on the south coast of Cyprus, where England meet a Finnish side ranked 23rd in the world.

The Three Lions, who are ranked sixth, carve the first opportunity of the match as Jade Moore finds space on the right flank to deliver a pinpoint cross towards the head of team-mate Eniola Aluko.

But the Chelsea striker cannot keep her header down and the ball flies over the Finland net.

BBC Radio 5 live

Standing around in the tunnel after a Premier League match can be a fun experience for journalists. Especially when there is a storm brewing.

Match of the Day commentator Conor McNamara was right in the thick of the action as he interviewed warring duo Steve Bruce and Gus Poyet after the 1-1 draw between Hull and Sunderland.

"I was waiting to interview both managers and they were playing cat and mouse in the tunnel because they didn't want to meet each other," explains Conor on BBC Radio 5 live.

"They were like schoolboys stood outside headteacher's office not wanting to make eye contact. But I'm sure they will sit down in the future and have a laugh about it."

Watch both Bruce and Poyet explain their actions to Conor.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland are not feeling deflated after Tuesday's 201-run defeat by South Africa at the World Cup, says wicketkeeper Gary Wilson.

"After the game we were relaxed enough about the defeat," says Wilson in his BBC Sport column.

"What's the point in getting down about losing a game like that? We were out-skilled, no question about it, but that doesn't mean we suddenly become a bad side.

"It is simply a bump in the road for us."

England are ready. Finland are ready. The referee is ready. Game on!

The Three Lions begin their Cyprus Cup campaign as their opening match against the Scandinavian side kicks off in Larnaca.

England are aiming to reach a third successive final in the tournament as they build up to this summer's World Cup.

We told you earlier about last night's remarkable scenes at Prenton Park when Wycombe's Matt McClure was sent off just 70 seconds after coming onto the pitch as a substitute against Tranmere.

League Two promotion chasers Wycombe held on for a 2-1 victory, and McClure's manager Gareth Ainsworth has had his say on the red card.

"It was possibly the quickest sending off I've seen in my career.," Ainsworth told BBC Three Counties Radio. "I put him on because Sam Saunders was flagging and within five seconds he's off and I'm a lot worse off than with Sam on the pitch.

"Matty was the first to say he couldn't believe he was sent off. But if you catch someone with your arm you're going to go, especially when you're away from home and the home fans make a meal of it."

Image source, Reuters

Celtic manager Ronny Deila reckons his in-form side are capable of securing the Scottish treble this season.

A win over Premiership rivals St Johnstone on Wednesday will take Deila's team nine points clear at the top of the table.

The Bhoys are already in the League Cup final and are also in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

"High goals gets high demands and good performances - and this group can handle it," says the Norwegian.

Gary Lineker
Match of the Day presenter

Brilliant morning filming with Michael Owen at his fabulous Manor House Stables for the FA Cup documentary.

Image source, @GARYLINEKER/TWITTER

The BBC - the place to stay across this season's FA Cup - will air a special documentary about the famous competition on BBC One in the week of the May final.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Reasonably safe to say Afghanistan are not going to overhaul Australia's World Cup record total of 417, they are currently 94-5 in the 21st over in Perth. Live text on the website and commentary continues on sports extra.

Your memorable sporting altercations. Please keep them coming in to #sportingspats and the BBC Sport Facebook, external page.

Alan Simon:, external On-field spats are common but England cricket captain Mike Gatting confronting umpire Shakoor Rana in 1987 was rather special!

David Storey:, external Bruce Grobbelaar and Steve McManaman in the Merseyside derby.

Kathryn Bate:, external Schumacher going after Coulthard in the pits after Coulthard crashed into the back of him during the Belgian Grand Prix 1998.

BBC Wales Sport:, external Wales captain Sam Warburton says "all the signs are positive" about recovering from a knee injury to face Ireland on 14 March.

One more snazzy graphic relating to last night's Premier League action. And it makes happy reading for goal-starved Southampton supporters....