Former world champion Shaun Murphy has made a good start to the semi-final against Barry Hawkins, rolling in a break of 92 to win the first frame at the Crucible.

Murphy, by the way, is wearing a blue combo, broken by the red back of his waistcoat. Snazzy.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

"And this is not the first incident involving Pearson this season after he was fined £10,000 and served a one-match touchline ban for "using abusive and/or insulting words towards a spectator" after he was criticised in the home loss to Liverpool.

"He then grabbed Crystal Palace's James McArthur by the throat after a touchline collision and also aimed verbal abuse at a journalist at the end of another press conference following the goalless home draw to Hull City in March.

"Leicester City, as a club, could not be more welcoming and accommodating - sadly this latest incident has created headlines of the wrong sort and Pearson must accept responsibility."

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

"The sad consequence of Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson's bizarre post-match behaviour was that it actually overshadowed what was a very good performance by his team, even in defeat against champions-elect Chelsea.

"It is inevitable that there will be cut and thrust between journalists and managers in press conferences that might lead to heated exchanges - but this was something different.

"The question from journalist Ian Baker to Pearson about criticism of Leicester was civil, reasonable and came towards the end of a briefing in which the tone of questions about Leicester was very positive, even if the manager was in spiky mood from the start.

"Pearson's reaction was a churlish, out of proportion, ham-fisted attempt to belittle his questioner and sadly even carried an air of bullying which reflected badly on the 51-year-old."

Still no sign of Sherwood...

The former Tottenham manager has won five and drawn five of his 11 games in charge of Villa but that doesn't excuse tardiness.

John Carver has won only two of his 16 games in charge of Newcastle, and it's pulled the Magpies in the relegation mire.

Image source, Getty Images

They now face fourth-from-bottom Leicester on Saturday.

"Four weeks ago Leicester were dead and buried but Nigel has turned them around and they are in with a chance of staying up," Carver said of his Foxes counterpart.

"It's the biggest game of the weekend, and huge for both sides. We need to stop this rot and get a result."

Newcastle United boss John Carver have been speaking to the media before his side's game with Leicester.

First up, some team news.

"Siem de Jong is ready for this weekend, after playing 90 minutes for the Under-21s, but he's not ready to start," said Carver. "Paul Dummett and Moussa Sissoko coming back into the group this week has given us a lift."

Image source, PA

Here's a warning for any football fan who thinks it's a good idea to run on to the pitch topless and perform somersaults...

Charlie Sumner, 20, did just that during Reading's FA Cup quarter-final replay with Bradford City last month. In front of a live BBC One audience, the Reading supporter - nicknamed "Pudding" - executed four front flips before stewards huckled him away.

At Reading Magistrates' Court on Thursday, a banning order for three years was imposed. He was also fined £265.

Conference club Braintree Town have named Danny Cowley as their new manager.

The 36-year-old, who was in charge at Conference South club Concord Rangers, succeeds former West Ham and England midfielder Alan Devonshire, who parted company with Braintree earlier this month.

The first of the last-four ties is getting underway at the Crucible, with Shaun Murphy facing fellow Englishman Barry Hawkins. Watch it live here.

Image source, Ian Baker/Twitter

Journalist-of-the-moment Ian Baker rounded off Wednesday night's news conference duel with Nigel Pearson by saying "Thanks Nigel, see you tomorrow".

Ahead of round two at 14:00 BST, he told BBC Sport that the Leicester manager is "always a challenge" to interview.

And in a piece for the Express, Baker says Pearson is "engaging company" off-camera and "a real man-manager and intelligent guy".

He added: "I'm not sure if I will get an apology - I am not expecting one but I will have the grace to accept it if one is offered."

Image source, Aston Villa

The scene is set, now we're just waiting for Tim Sherwood to arrive...

We're still waiting for Andy Murray to take to court for his match with world No 653 Mischa Zverev in round two of the BMW Open in Munich. The latest missive from the organisers is that the world No.3 and top seed will not get underway before 13:20 BST.

Image source, SNS

Ross County have extended the contracts of strikers Liam Boyce and Craig Curran until the summer of 2017. They have been instrumental as County have lifted themselves off the bottom of the Scottish Premiership to the brink of avoiding relegation.

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

One of the media highlights of Euro 2012 was the reaction of then Ukraine coach Oleg Blokhin when he was questioned by a local journalist after their defeat to England in Donetsk.

The notoriously combustible Blokhin reacted to what he regarded as hostile question by inviting the journalist "outside for a man talk" - making his point even further by pointing towards the door and offering up some comedy shadow boxing with clenched fists just to let it be known the meeting could go beyond some "man talk."

The offer, politely and very wisely, was declined.

Filippo Inzaghi is on the brink of becoming the third AC Milan coach to be sacked in little more than a year, after the 3-1 humiliation at home to Genoa.

Italian media are reporting that youth team coach Cristian Brocchi could take over for the final five matches of the season, in an attempt to save the club from further embarrassment.

Inzaghi said on Wednesday night he wanted to continue, but that he was expecting to learn his fate "by tomorrow".

Reanne Evans, the 10-time ladies' champion, has criticised World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn's efforts to close the gender divide in the sport.

Evans failed in her bid to play against the men at this year's World Championship, losing in qualifying.

"Barry says it is equal opportunity but it is not", the 29-year-old told Radio 4's World At One programme.

Leinster have announced that Fiji international back Isa Nacewa is to rejoin them for next season.

Nacewa, 32, previously spent five years with Leinster, helping them to three Heineken Cup final triumphs and a PRO12 title.

"As soon as we became aware that he was keen on a return, it was something that we have worked hard to get over the line," Leinster head coach Matt O'Connor said.

Cornelius Lysaght
BBC horse racing correspondent

"2000 Guineas plans coming together: Ryan Moore to ride Aidan O'Brien-trained Gleneagles and trainer's son Joseph on Ol' Man River, Paul Hanagan on Hamdan al Maktoum's Greenham 2nd Estidhkaar (one of four Richard Hannon-trained hopes) and Dane O'Neill on Intilaaq."

Image source, Getty Images

Tottenham and Wales left-back Ben Davies is out for the rest of the season after having surgery on the shoulder he dislocated at Southampton last weekend.

The 22-year-old has made 14 Premier League appearances for Spurs since joining from Swansea last summer.

Derbyshire batsman Billy Godleman has been banned until 13 May under the England & Wales Cricket Board's directives.

Godleman was reported for throwing the ball near a player, umpire or official in an inappropriate and dangerous manner during Derbyshire's game with Gloucestershire.

The left-hander received six penalty points, added to the three he received in September last year, triggering the ban.