Gary Neville was full of praise for Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres as the Gunners got their Premier League title charge back on track with a north London win over Tottenham.

The league leaders dominated their arch-rivals in the opening 45 minutes and took the lead through Eberechi Eze, who was close to joining Spurs last summer.

Eze, who scored a hat-trick in the corresponding fixture at the Emirates Stadium, had agreed a move to Tottenham before Arsenal hijacked the deal and poached him from Crystal Palace.

Arsenal were well worth their 32nd-minute opener but the hosts responded immediately and equalised less than two minutes later through Randal Kolo Muani.

Kolo Muani dispossessed an unusually casual Declan Rice and managed to get a shot away that beat Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.

Rice was seen urging his teammates to switch on after Eze’s goal but was soon apologising for his part in Tottenham’s leveller.

Fortunately for Rice and Arsenal the blunder did not prove costly as the Gunners reasserted their dominance after the break and retook the lead through Gyokeres’ emphatic strike.

Arsenal were pegged back by Brentford and Wolves in their last two league games but there was to be no repeat here, with Eze scoring his second of the afternoon to all but put the game to bed.

Gyokeres scored again in injury-time to cap off an impressive performance from both the striker and Arsenal, who maintain their dominance over north London rivals Tottenham.

Gyokeres endured an underwhelming start to his Arsenal career but the £64m summer signing now has seven goals since the turn of the New Year.

Neville was hugely impressed by Gyokeres’ performance against Spurs and said it was his ‘best’ display in an Arsenal shirt for a while.

‘He looks really lively and smart, Gyokeres,’ Neville said after the Sweden international restored Arsenal’s lead at Tottenham.

‘It’s the best I’ve seen him for a while. It’s a great moment for him. He’s still got a lot to do when it comes to him – and he hasn’t always been smooth – but it’s a wonderful finish.

‘Gyokeres has had one of his best games for Arsenal, he’s been a real nuisance. It’s the best I’ve seen him in a big game.

‘He’s never going to be the prettiest striker but he deserves that award. He’s looked sharper today as well, it’s the most involved he’s been in a Premier League game.’

Former Manchester United and England defender Neville was less impressed by Rice’s ‘stupid’ mistake for Tottenham’s equaliser.

‘You cannot believe that,’ he said on Sky Sports. ‘Declan Rice has just joined his backline in making an error, this time it’s a really poor one.

‘Rice tries to dribble past Kolo Muani, who still has a lot to do. Saliba has got to be more aggressive than that, hasn’t he? It’s a nothing challenge and his mate, Gabriel, can’t get across.

‘We’ve seen a few of those stupid little errors from Arsenal’s senior players. Tottenham have had nothing in this game, Arsenal were so comfortable but there’s been a few lapses of concentration and its contagious and it has to stop otherwise they’ll be in trouble.

‘Rice was telling everyone to concentrate after Arsenal’s goal but then it’s so loose from him. I think Saliba could do better but Rice holds his hands up because he knows it was his mistake.’

Arsenal’s north London derby win means Mikel Arteta’s side restore their five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City with 11 games remaining.

Tottenham, meanwhile, stay 16th but are now just four points above the relegation zone.

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Months later, a US Secret Service agent spotted a rifle sticking out of bushes at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach. The man, later identified as Ryan Routh, fled but was caught. The 59-year-old was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month for attempting to assassinate the president.

Earlier this month plans to create Gibfield Park, between Atherton and the Daisy Hill area of Weshoughton, were unveiled. The proposals include 45,500 sqm of employment floorspace and creating a section of trunk road which is part of a strategy to better link the M61 to the M6 in an east west direction.

Developers Peel Land said Gibfield Park is allocated for development in the regional Places for Everyone Plan (PfE), the long-term joint development plan of nine Greater Manchester authorities.

The policy requires the site to be brought forwards in accordance with a masterplan that is approved by Wigan council. The masterplan is currently being prepared by Peel Land, as landowner.

It has launched a public consultation on the draft proposals. The campaign group ‘Say No To Gibfield Park Development Plans’ are strongly opposed to the plans.

Member, Amanda Coleman, 54, lives on Schofield Lane, immediately next to the affected land. She said: “This is not just any patch of green, it’s a sanctuary for both the people and wildlife of our community.

“For decades, it has been a place residents find solace amidst the rush of daily life and wildlife flourishes. “But now, we are at risk of losing this precious space to the relentless march of development.

“People in Atherton are already grappling with significant challenges, mounting traffic congestion, rising levels of air pollution, and a severe dearth of green spaces where families can breathe and relax.

“Concrete jungles are spreading like wildfire across Greater Manchester and Atherton is no exception. “The planned development on Gibfield Park not only threatens our community’s health and well-being but also obliterates one of the few remaining areas where nature is allowed to flourish. This is unacceptable.

“Our town is at a crossroads. Do we let developers pave over what little we have left, or do we unite to protect our shared environment for ourselves and
future generations.” John Hinckley, 69, of Schofield Lane, believes the development would jeopardise his family’s future plans.

He said: “We moved here 10 years ago and we came to live here purely because of this land. The back and side of our property is next to the development site.

“When we did the land surveys when we purchased there was nothing flagged up about development. The only thing that came up was that it used to be a mining site.

“We’re anxious about what’s going to happen. Our plan was going to be to eventually move closer to our children who live in the Lakes and Scotland but now I fear we’ll never be able to sell our house as it will be totally devalued.”

Debbie Yates, 58, has lived on Wigan Road, Atherton for 14 years. The front of her property enjoys views as far as the eye can see of the green land which is earmarked for development.

She said: “As well as other issues this is about mental health for a lot of people who live here. Those fields are as important to us as sunshine.

“I look out, particularly in the summer months and there can be up to 25 horses out, some with foals. My grandchildren look out and can appreciate nature. One of them learned some of his first words by seeing and recognising the animals.

“People come from far and wide to enjoy the outdoors here, it’s one of the last open spaces left in Atherton. To lose it will have an impact on people’s mental health as it’s a happy sight every single day.”

Mrs Yates also said she feared the views from Wigan Road would be replaced by giant industrial warehouses.

“It makes my blood boil,” she said. “How am I going to sleep with them facing me, there’s going to be night lighting.”

In its consultation document, Peel said their masterplan includes up to 500 new homes across two sites close to North Road and Gibfield Park Way, 45,500 sqm of employment floorspace, the extension of Gibfield Park Way northwards and the creation of a country park.

Peel said the park would ‘preserve green belt land between Atherton and Westhoughton’. The consultation website, the developer said ‘Peel Land is proud to be bringing forward this proposed masterplan’.

It said: “Gibfield Park is strategically located within the NorthFold growth corridor, one of the key growth locations within the city-region. The NorthFold strategic vision was established in 2025 as a collaboration between Wigan and Bolton councils, working together with Greater Manchester Combined Authority and development partners including Peel Land.

Peel Land added: “A key element of the emerging proposals is a country park for all to use, approximately 29 hectares in size (equivalent to around 40 football pitches). The Country Park will be accessible from both the east and west to integrate it into the new and existing communities.

“The park will deliver habitat enhancement, creation and long-term protection through ecologically led landscape design. The focus will be on improving existing habitats and creating new features, including a series of wetland pockets in the central area.

“The park will include a 1km walking and running loop that will be accessible to all, as well as a heritage trail providing information about the coal mining history of the site. ” Peel said following the consultation, feedback will be reviewed as they move towards finalising the masterplan for approval by Wigan Council.

Each of the proposals for housing and employment space will require separate planning applications, subject to the masterplan being approved.
The consultation information can be found at https://gibfieldpark.consultationonline.co.uk/.

Cambridge is known for being the birthplace of football as we know it today

With its educational centre of excellence, it’s no surprise that some of the world’s most important inventions have come from Cambridge. From the structure of DNA, to the first reflecting telescope and the first graphical computer game, Cambridge is well established on the map of scientific discoveries.

When it comes to sport, the first thing most people associate Cambridge with is the boat race. But aside from this, when Cambridge’s elite students weren’t studying, they were busy coming up with the rules for a sport which is now played by people across the world.

Cambridge is credited as being the birthplace of football as we know it today. While the ‘Cambridge Rules’ aren’t used in competitive football today, they do serve as the foundation for the rules, having a significant impact on the first laws of football which were published by the Football Association (FA) in 1863.

The 11 rules were thought up on Parker’s Piece in the 1848 and were stapled to trees around the park, marking the first time football had any formal laws. The Cambridge Rules are are said to be the first football rules which allotted each player an area of the pitch, and based the game on passing the ball.

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According to Cambridge Rules 1848, the rules were as follows:

1. This club shall be called the University Foot Ball Club.
2. At the commencement of the play, the ball shall be kicked off from the middle of the ground: after every goal there shall be a kick-off in the same way.
3. After a goal, the losing side shall kick off; the sides changing goals, unless a previous arrangement be made to the contrary.
4. The ball is out when it has passed the line of the flag-posts on either side of the ground, in which case it shall be thrown in straight.
5. The ball is behind when it has passed the goal on either side of it.
6. When the ball is behind it shall be brought forward at the place where it left the ground, not more than ten paces, and kicked off.
7. Goal is when the ball is kicked through the flag-posts and under the string.
8. When a player catches the ball directly from the foot, he may kick it as he can without running with it. In no other case may the ball be touched with the hands, except to stop it.
9. If the ball has passed a player, and has come from the direction of his own goal, he may not touch it till the other side have kicked it, unless there are more than three of the other side before him. No player is allowed to loiter between the ball and the adversaries’ goal.
10. In no case is holding a player, pushing with the hands, or tripping up allowed. Any player may prevent another from getting to the ball by any means consistent with the above rules.
11. Every match shall be decided by a majority of goals.

When it comes to a football goal, you’re probably familiar with the white metal frame and net. The standard measurement is 7.32m wide and 2.44m high.

In the 19th century, they didn’t have goals readily available. Their goal was marked by two trees. On the edge of Parker’s Piece are two ash trees, which are said to be the origin of the goal size which is still used today.

Parker’s Piece remains a popular spot in the city for sport, especially during the summer months when people can be seen playing badminton, rounders, and of course, football.

In 2018, a monument called ‘Cambridge Rules 1848’ was installed in Parker’s Piece. The monument is made up of four stone pillars, each of which are engraved with the Cambridge Rules translated into several languages.

Mexican drug lord “El Mencho” has been killed in a military operation, an official has said.

The leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, whose real name is Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, died on Sunday, the Associated Press reported.

An official, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, told the news agency the military operation was carried out in the western state of Jalisco.

It followed several hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles in Jalisco and other states. Such tactics are commonly used by the cartels to block military operations.

Videos posted on social media showed plumes of smoke billowing over Puerto Vallarta, a major city in Jalisco, and people running through the airport of the state’s capital in panic.

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The US State Department had offered a reward of up to $15m for information leading to the arrest of El Mencho.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is one of the most powerful and fastest-growing criminal organisations in Mexico.

In February, the Trump administration designated it as a foreign terrorist organisation.

The cartel carried out a daring assassination attempt in 2020, with grenades and high-powered rifles, in the heart of Mexico City against the then-head of the capital’s police force, who is now head of federal security.

The DEA considers it to be as powerful as the Sinaloa cartel, one of Mexico’s most notorious criminal groups.

The cartel has a presence in all 50 US states, where it distributes tonnes of drugs.

It is one of the leading suppliers of cocaine to the US market.

Like the Sinaloa cartel, it earns billions from the production of methamphetamines and fentanyl.

Jonathan Cussins, of 43, of Priorpot Lane, Norton,  pleaded guilty to speeding in a 30 mph zone on the A170 in Scarborough.

He was banned from driving for six months, fined £307 and ordered to pay £90 prosecution costs and a £123 statutory surcharge.

Robert Willett, 37, of Thornton Road, Pickering, pleaded guilty to speeding in a 30 mph zone on the A170 in Scarborough.

He was banned from driving for six months, fined £646 and ordered to pay £90 prosecution costs and a £258 statutory surcharge.

Lee Adlington, 40, of Glebelands, Kellingley near Selby, pleaded guilty to speeding on the A63 Selby bypass.

He was banned from driving for six months, fined £192 and ordered to pay £120 prosecution costs.

Dominic M’Benga, 61, of Hull Road, Barmby Moor, East Yorkshire, was convicted in his absence of failure to tell police who was driving his car when it allegedly committed a motoring offence.

He was fined £660, ordered to pay £120 prosecution costs and a £264 statutory surcharge and given six penalty points.

Fletcher’s Family Farm viewers refused to watch Sunday’s new episode for a heartbreaking reason

ITV viewers claimed to “switch off” Sunday’s episode of Fletcher’s Family Farm after Kelvin Fletcher informed viewers about his plans to send his cow Sonic for slaughter.

Kelvin shared, “I’m in the barn with Sonic, and we’re about to start a journey that every farmer knows well, but in this particular case is new to us. It’s nearly time for Sonic to make the journey most livestock animals are bred for.”

Explaining the reasoning behind his decision, the former Emmerdale star said, “The process is we have got Sonic in, and we’ve got him in to finish. We enjoy meat, as many people do, and this is part of it. Obviously, we’ve done that with the sheep and the pigs, and we’ve kind of got used to that now, whereas this is going to feel very well, I don’t know how it’s going to feel. Is it going to feel different? I don’t know.”

“Even though it’s part of life on the farm, it doesn’t make the moment any easier,” he added.

Kelvin went on to explain that this Christmas, he hoped to be eating Fletcher’s beef. He said, “The kids understand brilliantly the concepts, in such an uncomplicated way, of what the animals become. You know, when we eat animals, they’ve got a very good understanding of that, and it’s uncomplicated, as it kind of should be. It’s celebrated.”

He added, “He’s had a great life running around and being happy. He looks in fantastic condition. He’s a show winner as well. Let’s not forget that he’s a rosette-wearing supreme champion. I’d probably go as far as saying you’d be our most famous.

“You’re our first, you’re award-winning, you’ve been on the telly, you’ve got a name, and you’ll be the first Fletcher beef that we eat and other people eat, so there’s a lot riding on this, mate.”

Following the episode, Kelvin and his wife, Liz, shared an update with his Instagram followers. Taking to their Fletcher’s Family Farm Instagram account, the couple announced, “Fletcher’s Beef. What a moment for us.”

Kelvin and Liz didn’t confirm whether the beef was from Sonic, but some fans were left saddened by the news, with many claiming they couldn’t watch the latest episode.

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One viewer wrote, “I’ve just watched today’s show, and I had to turn it off…poor Sonic.”

“I can’t watch this week’s! The downside of farming for me,” another said while a third added, “Shan’t be watching anymore.”

Someone else pleaded, “Please don’t name them, if you’re going to eat them.”

Another asked, “Is that poor Sonic? You’re a braver person than me, no way could I eat him.”

Others congratulated the couple on their beef; they commented, “Looks fabulous, beef. Congratulations, that’s a hard job to choose the cattle to market. It needs to be done.”

“Congrats to you, I couldn’t be a farmer, I couldn’t feed them, name them, rear them, and then eat them. I am not saying I don’t eat meat, I do, but not ones I name,” another agreed.

Fletcher’s Family Farm airs on Sunday at 11.30am on ITV.

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The Lady on ITV is a four-part drama about Sarah Ferguson’s former royal aide who was convicted of murder.

The Lady makes its ITV debut this evening, starring recognisable faces from Happy Valley, Game of Thrones and Downton Abbey.

True crime enthusiasts are set for a compelling watch as ITV broadcasts The Lady tonight, Sunday, February 22, at 9pm, replacing Shaun Evans’ espionage thriller Betrayal.

This four-part royal drama explores the captivating true story of Sarah Ferguson‘s royal aide whose spectacular fall from grace culminated in a savage killing.

With The Lady poised to premiere, here’s the complete rundown of its star-studded cast.

The Lady on ITV cast

Jane Andrews – Mia McKenna-Bruce

Central to ITV’s The Lady is Jane Andrews, a working-class Cleethorpes woman from Lincolnshire, who secured the chance of a lifetime upon her appointment as Sarah Ferguson’s royal dresser.

However, following her redundancy in the late 1970s, Jane’s existence descended into chaos, ultimately driving her to murder her partner.

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Jane comes alive in The Lady through actress Mia McKenna-Bruce, who gained recognition playing Tee Taylor in Tracy Beaker Returns, subsequently appearing in How to Have Sex, Vampire Academy and Persuasion.

Most lately, McKenna-Bruce portrayed Lady Eileen “Bundle” Brent in Netflix’s interpretation of Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials.

Sarah Ferguson – Natalie Dormer

What elevates Jane’s narrative to greater prominence is her employment working for the former Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, at Buckingham Palace.

The Lady will offer viewers a glimpse into their personal relationship before Jane Andrews committed murder.

Actress Natalie Dormer is most recognised for her portrayal of Margaery Tyrell in the acclaimed HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones, alongside roles as Anne Boleyn in The Tudors and Cressida in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2.

Thomas Cressman – Ed Speleers

McKenna-Bruce and Dormer are accompanied by actor Ed Speleers, who took the lead role in the 2006 film Eragon, portrayed Jimmy Kent in Downton Abbey and antagonist Stephen Bonnet in MGM+’s Outlander.

He will also be recognised for his performance as Rhys Montrose in the fourth series of Netflix’s psychological thriller You and Jack Crusher in Star Trek: Picard.

Speleers is set to play Thomas Cressman, Jane Andrews’ partner and victim, whom she struck with a cricket bat whilst he slept before delivering a fatal stab wound.

June and David Andrews – Claire Skinner and Daniel Ryan

Jane Andrews’ narrative will begin from the outset, depicting her upbringing in Lincolnshire with her family who endured financial hardship.

The Lady will trace her formative years and the circumstances she returned to both before and after her employment with the Duchess of York.

Her mother is played by actress Claire Skinner, who has appeared in Hilda and McDonald and Dodds, though she remains best known for her role as Sue Brockman in the BBC sitcom Outnumbered.

Meanwhile, her father David Andrews is portrayed by actor Daniel Ryan, whose credits include The Bay, Mount Pleasant and Innocent, amongst numerous other productions.

DCI Jim Dickie – Philip Glenister

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Following Thomas’s murder, DCI Jim Dickie, portrayed by Philip Glenister, takes charge of the investigation to identify his killer.

Glenister is best known for his portrayal of DCI Gene Hunt in the BBC series Life on Mars and its follow-up Ashes to Ashes, whilst also taking on roles as DCI William Bell in State of Play and Reverend Anderson in Outcast.

Several other prominent actors will appear in The Lady, though specifics about their characters remain closely guarded.

These include Laura Aikman from Gavin and Stacey and This City Is Ours, Guardian of the Galaxy’s Ophelia Lovibond, and Happy Valley’s Mark Stanley.

The Lady premieres on Sunday, February 22, on ITV and ITVX.

York Archaeology, which runs the festival, estimates 50,000 people took part in the week of events, workshops and markets or visited the encampment on Parliament Street.

The organisers had feared that the weeks of rain would continue and ruin the day of outdoor events that bring the festival to a climax.

But although grey clouds hung over the traditional March to Coppergate, the rain held off as the 450 mostly Vikings marched through streets lined with people.

And the rain continued to hold off for the Kids Barbaric Battles, Viking Fun and Games and the marchers engaging in four rounds of combat in the Battle Spectacular ending in a special pyrotechnic display, all staged at the Eye of York.

And organisers believe Norse weather gods played their part in ensuring the dry weather.

“This has really been an epic year for Jorvik Viking Festival, with the vast majority of the events sold out before the Festival even opened, and really good crowds turning out to enjoy all the free activities and displays we have hosted,” said Mark Jackson, head of operations for York Archaeology.

“The March to Coppergate seemed particularly well-supported, with people lining both side of the street the whole way from Dean’s Park to Coppergate, cheering on the marching Vikings as they passed,” he said. 

“Indeed, the living history encampment in Parliament Street has been packed all week, with the wood turning, blacksmithing and tattooing proving exceptionally popular.  

“It is brilliant to see so many people engaging with this fascinating period in York’s history, and learning a little about how our 10th century ancestors would have lived.”

Winter is about to disappear at Jorvik. The tourist attraction is currently staging A Winter Adventure and the famous recreation of Viking York is covered in snow.  It has been sold out throughout the festival.  

Tomorrow, Monday, it will be closed while the snow is removed and reopen on Tuesday with the street scenes back to their usual Spring setting of a May afternoon in the year AD960.

Speaking about Aramayo on the red carpet of the 79th British Academy Film Awards, Jones said: “I knew Robert was right for the part very early on, and because the finance was structured in a certain way, I was able to cast him without having to justify that decision or ask for people’s permission to do it – which is the purest way to cast the film. That’s how it should be done.