Liverpool’s dominant win over West Ham did little to lessen the pressure on Mo Salah

Liverpool may have turned a corner in their league form but the struggles of Mohamed Salah continue to roll on. The Reds earned a mammoth 5-2 victory against West Ham United on Saturday to mark their third straight Premier League win – the first time they’ve gone on such a streak since December.

It was also the first time they’ve scored five goals in a league game since clinching the title last season when beating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at Anfield. While it wasn’t a seamless performance from Arne Slot’s men, it was a valuable three points that strengthened their case for Champions League qualification.

The likes of Hugo Ekitike and Cody Gakpo returned to the scoresheet, but the lengthy drought in front of goal for Liverpool’s Egyptian King has yet to be broken. It was another dismal performance for Salah, who has so far scored 25 goals less than he did in the entirety of last season’s league campaign.

Some more brutal criticism has been thrown his way, while Mirror Football also takes a look at the eye-opening comments Ekitike made after Saturday’s triumph that put them within three points of Aston Villa.

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READ MORE: Mohamed Salah ‘increasingly likely’ to leave Liverpool as Arne Slot admits ‘questions’READ MORE: Cody Gakpo believes Liverpool are on cusp of ‘something beautiful’ after West Ham rout

Ekitike admission

Ekitike is certainly not resting on his laurels. Becoming the first Liverpool player since Luis Suarez to score 11 league goals in their first full season at the club isn’t enough to satisfy the silky Frenchman.

The 23-year-old scored once and assisted twice in Saturday’s victory but increasing his tally to 16 goals and six assists across all competitions is not good enough, according to the striker himself.

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Speaking to LFCTV, Ekitike admitted: “To be honest, I could score more. I’m not that happy. But it’s not even goals, it’s assists as well. Today I think I gave one or two assists, I don’t remember.

“As long as I can help the team and be involved, that’s the most important. I want to win, so personally I’m happy, but I’m looking forward to the upcoming games.”

Brutal Salah verdict

Amid Liverpool’s struggles this season, the dramatic dip in Salah’s form has hamstrung the club’s ability to capture the winning mentality they possessed last year. With just four goals and six assists to his name in the Premier League, the 33-year-old looks like a shadow of his former self.

On top of a disappointing showing in the Reds’ 5-2 victory over West Ham, Salah’s inability to get on the scoresheet marked 10 straight league games with a goal for the Egyptian – the first time the winger has gone that long without scoring for the club.

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His poor form has led to many questioning whether his time at the top level could be coming to an end, with ex-Liverpool winger Mark Kennedy going as far as brutally branding the 33-year-old “yesterday’s man.” Speaking on talkSPORT prior to Liverpool’s victory, the Irishman said: “I am going to be controversial here.

“When I look at Salah’s stats last year, they’re absolutely phenomenal. But every time I watch Liverpool, I never liked Salah. I think his ball retention is really, really poor. He gives up a lot of possession, and I’ve been really vocal when I speak to people about Salah this year.

“I am a Liverpool fan, I am a big fan of Salah, I think he’s amazing, but I think he’s yesterday’s man. I am not surprised by his performances this year because I’ve actually been saying it for a long time.”

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Benfica coach Jose Mourinho says Gianluca Prestianni’s career under him will be “over” if he is guilty of racially abusing Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr.

Prestianni, 20, was accused by Vinicius during the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off tie in Lisbon on 17 February.

The Argentine, who denies racially abusing Vinicius, missed the second leg after being given a provisional one-match ban by Uefa pending the result of a full investigation by an ethics and disciplinary inspector.

He could be punished further once that is complete.

Mourinho was criticised for saying after the match he believed Vinicius had incited the crowd by dancing at the corner flag after scoring the only goal of the game.

Speaking on Sunday, Mourinho said he was “completely, utterly opposed to any kind of discrimination or prejudice, or ignorance, or stupidity”.

“If my player did not respect these principles, which are mine and Benfica’s as well, then that player’s career with a coach named Jose Mourinho and at a club named Benfica will come to an end,” the 63-year-old said.

“I am not a scholar, but I am not ignorant either. The presumption of innocence is a human right, isn’t it?

“I stand by my opinion. If the player is indeed guilty, I will never look at him the way I looked at him before, and with me, it’s over.

“But I have to put many ‘ifs’ in front of it.”

A trip to the zoo, an acrobatics show, a stroll around one of London’s first indoor markets, or perhaps just a swim in a historic Lido.

These are just some of the unique activities you might stumble across in Wandsworth in South West London.

It seems that it’s becoming increasingly popular with movers, too, as in 2025, a study analysing more than 23,000 moves found that it was the most popular London borough.

Now, it’s not exactly a cheap enclave to move to. Over the last year, house prices in Wandsworth have averaged at out at £810,224, towering over the current national average of £269,900 (according to Zoopla’s figures).

Plus, renting here certainly costs a pretty penny, as Compare My Move’s research found that the average monthly payment comes in at £2,526.

So, just what’s all the fuss about?

‘There’s a great feeling of peace’

Fiona Harrold has lived in Wandsworth for just over two years now, having moved back to London from Somerset in 2024.

She knew she wanted to be somewhere more lively than a village, but needed to be able to switch off and seek clarity amid nature, which is precisely why she ended up choosing South West London.

‘You can come home from a busy day of meetings in the centre of town, turn a corner and there’s suddenly a feeling of peace with a great green expanse of a park or heath,’ the 58-year-old PR tells Metro.

‘What’s special about it is the village feel as well as the convenience of Pilates studios, cafes and hairdressers that are open seven days.’

In her view, it feels like it’s outside of London – but in reality, it’s only 15 minutes from Waterloo on the train.

She now lives in a mansion block, and many of her neighbours have lived there for 20 years. Taking in each other’s parcels is the norm, and many of them have looked after her cat while she’s been away travelling.

‘I wouldn’t want to live in any other part of London,’ she says.

A love of greenery is also why 42-year-old Holly Stevens, who is originally from Wimbledon, chose Wandsworth. She wanted somewhere that felt familiar, but had a slower, more family-friendly pace of life.

‘King George’s Park, Wandsworth Common and Clapham Common are all on the doorstep, and they completely shape daily life, especially with children,’ Holly, who has two children, shares.

‘The schools are another big draw. There are some fantastic options locally, and that naturally brings in lots of young families. There’s a real sense of community here, you see familiar faces at the school gates, in the parks and in local cafés. It feels supportive and neighbourly.’

‘Wandsworth feels like possibility’

While Alicia Drabble-Castellano now lives in neighbouring Wimbledon Park, one minute from the border, she lived in Wandsworth when she set up her business.

The area gave her exactly what she needed for her idea, women’s clothing brand Single Swan, to thrive: space, energy, and community.

‘It’s full of people quietly building something. There’s a real entrepreneurial undercurrent, founders working from cafés, creatives collaborating after school drop-off, women in their 40s starting second acts,’ she tells Metro.

‘You’ll see river runners at sunrise, toddlers in tow by 9am, and start-up meetings happening over flat whites by 10.’

In her experience, Wandsworth feels ‘layered’ in that there are long-standing locals, but also new arrivals.

‘Local conversations turned into collaborations. It’s a place that allows you to grow quietly, steadily, and confidently,’ she adds.

Housing in Wandsworth

When it comes to explaining why it’s so popular despite the relative price tag, Damien Jefferies, founder of Jefferies London, has a few theories.

As Damien tells Metro, it ‘combines lifestyle appeal with relative affordability given its favourable location.’

He explains: ‘Families are attracted by the excellent schools, plentiful green space and riverside setting, while professionals value the fast connections into central London, particularly with the Northern line extension, as well as the up-and-coming buzz that has come from the redevelopment of the Battersea Power Station and surrounding area of Nine Elms.’

In his mind, it channels an essence of London’s ‘prestige’ without the champagne budget associated with nearby Chelsea and Fulham.

Damien adds that, between 2024 and 2025, the average sold price across Wandsworth actually fell by 6.4%, which he says is ‘in line with the slowdown seen across the wider London market.’

However, this has actually fuelled the borough’s popularity even further, as the average number of monthly housing transactions rose by 10.1% in 2024 and 9.3% in 2023.

Things to do in Wandsworth

From quirky food markets to a vibrant clubbing scene, there’s plenty to explore down this neck of the woods. It was also named the London Borough of Culture for 2025 by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, hailed for being ‘vibrant and diverse,’ as well as teeming with creativity.

Tooting Market is worthy of a visit alone, being one of South London’s first indoor markets, opening in 1930.

For those who like to party, Exhibit in Balham and Tram and Social in Tooting are two standout clubs, offering karaoke, bottomless brunches, comedy nights and more.

And those who prefer the great outdoors can enjoy the area’s green spaces like Wandsworth Park, Battersea Park and the River Wandle. Alternatively, why not take a dip in the famous Tooting Bec Lido?

FORSSELIUS, Prudential, Parker & Watson, and Thornton’s Antiques – just some of the businesses readers may remember from this part of York.

Long-lost shops and firms of Blossom Street over the years are being remembered in a new project.

Clements Hall Local History Group have been finding out more about the history of Blossom Street for their latest book.

Forsselius Garage in York in 1982 when it was put up for sale

They’ve been tracing the history of all the traders in the street through time, with some very familiar names, such as Forsselius. He installed the first automatic petrol pump in York in September 1921, with two petrol pumps and storage for 800 gallons. Across the street from the Odeon cinema was Shearsmith’s, mainly a motorcycle dealer, but they also sold toys at Christmas, especially Hornby trains, Dinky Toys, and Meccano construction kits.

Edwin Story near Micklegate Bar was a leading bookseller with a lending library.

Blossom Street and Micklegate Bar and Edwin Story shop – photo supplied

There were some well-known grocers before Sainsburys on the corner with the Crescent. Thompsons had an overhead device for sending money from the assistant to a central cashier booth, with wires and pulleys across the shop.

Recommended reading:

11 photos that show changing face of this key street in York

How York has changed since the 1950s – 10 fabulous old photos

How York has changed since the Swinging ’60s – 9 old photos

Do you remember Parker & Watson chemist on the corner of Queen Street in the 1960s? How about Thornton’s antiques, and Almgill’s sweet shop?

Parker and Watson chemist on the corner of Queen Street – photo from York Press

There was Fong Cheong’s Chinese laundry next to the Bay Horse, from 1921 to 1959, and their son, who became Harry Dewar, was a famous teacher in York.

Fong Cheong’s Chinese laundry was next to the Bay Horse from 1921 to 1959. This photo from Explore York dates from 1935

Prudential House, next to the cinema, was built in the 1960s, a base for The Man from the Pru’, eventually replaced by the Premier Inn, with another storey added.

Prudential House – next to the Odeon cinema around 1970 – Prudential PLC Archives

Local people have memories of the English Martyrs School and the Odeon cinema, can you add to these and tell the Group your stories about any of the old traders?

Please send them your memories and any old photos, either by email at clemhallhistory@gmail.com or leave a message at Clements Hall on 01904 466086.

Delroy Lindo, from left, Miles Canton, Wunmi Mosaku, Omar Benson Miller, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Lola Kirke, Francine Maisler, Michael B. Jordan, and Jack O’Connell accept the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture for Sinners (Chris Pizzello/AP)

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Hawkins, who was beaten by John Higgins in the 2018 final, took control early on, winning the opening frame with a break of 105.

And although Lisowski drew level in the second frame, Hawkins would then go on to win six in a row.

Another century break in the fourth frame came in between three half-century breaks of 67, 76 and 88.

The afternoon ended with another Hawkins frame, as he led Lisowski 7-1 going into the tournament’s final session.

Lisowski, who was playing in his first Welsh Open final, showed great fight when the game restarted, putting together back-to-back century breaks to remind his opponent there was still work to do.

The 34-year-old then came out on top of a 40-minute frame which swung both ways to reduce Hawkins’ lead to 7-4.

But Lisowski’s momentum was ended in the following frame, as a long safety shot from Hawkins resulted in a red ball finding the bottom left pocket of the table.

And Hawkins made the most of the opportunity, putting together a break of 68 to put him on the cusp of victory.

Lisowski managed to win one more frame, with a break of 53, before Hawkins clinched the Welsh Open title in the 14th frame of the final.

“I was very poor despite trying my best,” said Lisowski.

“Barry was by far the better player today and he deserves his win.

“He’s been great to me my whole career, even when I was very young. He’s always given me the time of day so I’m very happy for him.”

One person said the high street “isn’t the place it used to be”

Locals say their town’s high street needs to be improved, as it has “no banks” and they have to travel further away for a “big food shop”. People in Chatteris have said their hometown is “charming”.

However, as in many high streets across the UK, they say that their shops are disappearing and places are being left vacant. Like many others, people living in Chatteris wish to see their high street improved.

Andrea Moat, who runs the “busy” Elizabeth’s Florist in Chatteris, said it is a “pity” the high street is looking more empty. She said: “It’s a pity there is not a big supermarket closer. People have to travel further out of town. There are also no banks. It’s harder for older people.”

People are able to use Chatteris post office for banking, which Elizabeth said is “really good”. However, the nearest bank is Lloyds in Ely, which is a 21-minute drive away, or Nationwide in St Ives, which is a 28-minute drive away.

Andrea doesn’t run an online service for her florist. She added: “We have a website, but if you want to order then you have to come into the shop. I think there should be a personal service. We are always busy.”

Joan Bridges said Chatteris is a “really lovely place”, but it “lacks somewhere for a big food shop”. She added: “You tend to have to travel a bit for a supermarket. It isn’t the worst thing, but for someone like me who’s a bit older, it tends to be a bit harder.”

Rob Hudson believes the town “isn’t the place it used to be”. He said: “When I first moved here, it was a great place full of friendly people. Now the high street is more empty. The people are the same and friendly, but the high street isn’t the same.”

The alleged attack followed the death of Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they have attacked the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf following strikes that killed the country’s supreme leader.

“The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was struck by four ballistic missiles,” the Guards said in a statement carried by local media, warning that “the land and sea will increasingly become the graveyard of the terrorist aggressors.”

Authorities in the US have not confirmed the claim of the alleged strike.

However US Central Command has blasted the claim as a “lie” the Mirror reports, as authorities in the US have not confirmed the claim of the alleged strike. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by local media: “The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was struck by four ballistic missiles.”

They also added: “The land and sea will increasingly become the graveyard of the terrorist aggressors.” This follows the death of the country’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

CENTCOM, the US Central Command, has said in a ‘fact check’ that The Lincoln “was not hit” and has slammed the claim as a “lie”.

The statement on X reads: “Iran’s IRGC claims to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles. LIE. The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close.

“The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

It comes as CENTCOM confirmed three US service members had been killed in action, with five more seriously wounded, since Operation Epic Fury began yesterday. As US-Israeli missiles rained down on Iran, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the process, Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East – targeting US bases in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait.

In a statement, the US military said: “Three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury. Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty.

“Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.”

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BANGKOK (AP) — The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran rattled world markets on Monday, with U.S. futures initially falling more than 1% and oil prices soaring, though both moderated as trading picked up.

The futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average were down about 0.8% by mid-morning in Bangkok.

Asian shares opened lower.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index initially fell more than 2%, but by midday Tokyo time it was down 1.5% at 57,981.54.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng lost 1.6% to 26,215.91, and the Shanghai Composite index was flat at 4,163.01.

Taiwan’s benchmark lost 0.6% and Singapore’s dropped 1.9%. In Bangkok, the SET fell 2.1%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.3% to 9,173.50.

Markets were closed in South Korea for a holiday.

The price of gold, usually viewed as a safe haven for investment in times of uncertainty, rose 2.4% to about $5,371 per ounce.

Traders were betting the supply of oil from Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East would slow or grind to a halt. Attacks throughout the region, including on two vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, have restricted countries’ ability to export oil to the rest of the world.

“Roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG (liquefied natural gas) flows squeeze through the Strait of Hormuz. This is not an obscure canal. It is the aorta of the global energy system,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.

The price of a barrel of U.S. benchmark crude oil initially surged about 8%. It later was trading 5.9% higher at $71.00 per barrel. Brent crude jumped 6.2% to $77.38 per barrel.

A prolonged war would likely result in higher prices for other fuels and gasoline and could cascade throughout the global economy, adding to production costs overall.

Likewise, prolonged interruptions to oil flows through the Middle East would have “huge implications for oil and LNG and every market everywhere if it occurs. Energy is an input to ALL production,” RaboResearch Global Economics & Markets said in a report.

Iran exports roughly 1.6 million barrels of oil a day, mostly to China. It may need to look elsewhere for supply if Iran’s exports are disrupted, another factor that could increase energy prices.

But China has ample oil reserves of up to 1.5 billion barrels, and it can offset a decline in oil from Iran by increasing imports from Russia, said Michael Langham of Aberdeen Investments.

The attacks were anticipated, with a massive buildup of U.S. forces in the Middle East, so traders had adjusted their positions to take that risk into account.

The conflict has shifted attention, for now, away from issues surrounding artificial intelligence that have dominated markets in recent months.

On Friday, the S&P 500 fell 0.4% to finish just its second losing month in the last 10. The Dow industrials dropped 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.9%.

Treasury yields fell in the bond market as investors sought safer places for their money.

“When markets are fragile, they do not need a knockout blow. They just need another weight on the bar,” Innes said.

Also hurting the broad market was a report Friday showing that inflation at the U.S. wholesale level was at 2.9% last month, much higher than the 1.6% that economists expected.

That could pressure the Federal Reserve to hold off longer on its cuts to interest rates. Lower rates would give the economy and prices for investments a boost, but they risk worsening inflation at the same time.

In other dealings early Monday, the U.S. dollar rose to 156.34 Japanese yen from 156.27 late Friday. The euro slipped to $1.1789 from $1.1762.

People turned up in their dozens to cheer on runners taking part, of which there were 850.

The Bolton half-marathon and 10k made its debut in town today.

Today’s event winners both coming from the Bolton and East Lancashire area.

But all good sporting events need an adoring and enthusiastic crowd to spur them on, and the half-marathon and 10k was no exception.

Clio Parkinson came out to support her husband, Connor Butterworth, competing in the 10k. 

Clio Parkinson, supporting her husband Connor Butterworth (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “It is the first run event he has ever done, and his first ever 10k. 

“He is hoping for an hour, but we will see how it goes. It is good to see this here.” 

Clio said they came from Chorley for the race, but that they are originally from Westhoughton. 

She added: “He signed up to the Chorley 10k but thought he would do this one first as well.” 

To see the event as it happened, click this link for our live blog: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/25896923.live-bolton-half-marathon-takes-place-town-today/

Nicola Harris came out to support her husband, John Harris, but also ran into a former student, Trinity Halliwell, who is competing, as well as some of the children she currently teaches, supporting their families in the race. 

Schoolteacher Nicola Harris, middle, with her pupils and daughter (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “It’s brilliant. I’m glad it is dry, it is ideal running weather and is well-supported by people. 

“Hopefully it will raise a lot of money for Bolton Hospice and any other charities people are running for.” 

Chris Neill, who is in training for the Manchester Marathon himself, was cheering from the sidelines for his girlfriend, Sarah Scales. 

He said: “She is running the 10k with her mate. We are both very much into our running.” 

Louisa and Craig Sedgwick (Image: Newsquest)

He added that, with both of them being from Bolton, the event is a good thing for the town, saying the turnout of 850 competitors is “great for a first event”. 

Louisa and Craig Sedgwick were out on Spa Road, cheering on their family and friend on the half marathon, having come down from Bromley Cross. 

Speaking about having the event on their doorstep, Louisa said: “It’s amazing, it is brilliant, they do Manchester, but it is a faff to get in and get parking, and you don’t see as much. 

“They definitely need to do it more.”