Viktor Gyokeres’ comment about the Emirates pitch has been labelled ‘ridiculous’ and ‘weak’ after Arsenal lost at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Cherries seriously damaged the Gunners’ title chances by picking up a 2-1 win in north London, giving Manchester City renewed hope of reeling in the leaders.

Arsenal remain top of the Premier League table and nine points ahead of City, but Pep Guardiola’s men have two games in hand and host the leaders next weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s side was very underwhelming in defeat to Bournemouth and Gyokeres offered a strange reason for the loss straight after the final whistle.

‘We had some chances in the end,’ Gyokeres, who scored Arsenal’s goal from the penalty spot, told BBC Sport. ‘The pitch was a bit dry there to be honest so that didn’t help.’

‘But like I said we all need to do better and take our chances.’

Former Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley was not impressed, pointing out that the home team is able to water the pitch, and felt Gyokeres’ comment made Arsenal look weak.

‘It is a ridiculous comment to make,’ Burley said on ESPN. ‘Sometimes the pitch is a little bit dry, but is it dry for both teams?

‘Sometimes you might want a pitch that’s a bit skiddier, but Arsenal control that, they’re the home side. If that’s what Arteta wants and Gyokeres and Declan Rice and [Martin] Zubimendi and [Noni] Madueke, all these players that are fit and available. Then the groundsman waters the pitch before the game and he waters it at half-time and they get a pitch that’s a little bit more fiery.

‘When you’re at home and you’re in control of that, there’s no point in retrospect making an excuse about it.

‘It makes you look weak and it makes you look like you’re doing what you’re doing, looking for excuses.’

Gyokeres did accept that Arsenal underperformed on Saturday, but insisted they still believe they will land silverware this season and are looking forward to the next challenge, which comes at home against Sporting in the Champions League on Wednesday.

‘Of course it hurts. Luckily we have a good game again on Wednesday to play and another one at the weekend. We have a lot to look forward to,’ said the Swedish striker.

‘We go into every game with the mindset we want to win the game and play at our best.

‘We always have that belief. We always want to win the games. We wanted to win this game. We played against good opposition and they won today.

‘They’re good on the counter-attacks. They have good players and did some good combinations. But we need to do better.’

With spring in full force, it is time to plan your visits to beer gardens to make the most of the sunshine

Now that spring is in full force, the forecast is set for warmer days, looking for beautiful beer garden to spend time in has become a priority for many. Thankfully, Cambridge has plenty of gorgeous pubs scattered around the city offering a great selection of drinks and food to enjoy al fresco.

One particular pub caught our eye for its large outdoor seating, scenic atmosphere, and positive reviews. The Engineer’s House is located at the Cambridge Museum of Technology and was originally built to house the incumbent Chief Engineer.

It sells Neapolitan style pizza from Scott’s All Day, alongside a varied selection of refreshments provided by Calverley’s Brewery.

Arguably the most impressive feature this spot has to offer is its scenic location alongside the river. Pizza and beer by the river sounds like an optimal blend to me.

The Engineer’s House has built a strong reputation online for being an “amazing gem of a place at the riverside” serving some of “the best pizza in Cambridge”, according to Google Reviews.

With an average of 4.5 stars on Google among more than 100 reviews, it is no wonder this pub is a haven for those wanting to enjoy a cold beer in the summer.

One previous customer commented: “We heard there was good wood fired pizza here. Good doesn’t describe it. The pizza here is the best pizza I’ve tried outside of London.”

Another wrote: “I love this place! It’s chill and its nice people making it enjoyable. Feels like I’m having a picnic with my friends with the nice river view every time I go there.”

The British obsession with tea often leaves our foreign friends a bit bemused. One Canadian woman who now lives in Wales was left baffled when a friend said one thing when offered a cuppa

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When it comes to things we Brits take very seriously indeed, it’s a cup of tea. It’s a simple combination – tea bag, boiling water, milk, and sugar if desired – yet it never fails to hit the spot.

Not feeling well? A brew will perk you up. Looking for something to keep you warm? A steaming mug of tea does the trick perfectly. It’s been a whole hour since your last cuppa? Pop the kettle on, we’re having tea.

People from outside the UK can sometimes find our national passion and all the subtle details that come along with it puzzling. A Canadian woman who now lives in Wales was confused when she came across one common phrase connected to brewing tea which left her utterly confused.

TikTok user ellayyayy, who frequently shares posts about her experiences as a foreigner in God’s Country, recounted the tale in a video on the social media platform. She explained: “I don’t know if this is a Britishism, or an autistic thing, but I was making a cup of tea for my husband’s friend the other day and I asked him how he would like it, and he said ‘oh, as it comes’.

“What does that mean? So I said ‘oh sorry, what do you mean?’ ‘Oh, no, as it comes’. And I’m thinking mate, it comes however I prepare it and give it to you, so how do you want me to do that?”

Commenters shared their interpretations of what the phrase actually meant. One remarked: “It’s a Britishism. It’s a way of saying ‘just make it how you like it because I’m waaaaay too polite to give you orders in your own home and I like all variations of tea anyway’.”

Another commented: “If you say ‘as it comes’ I’m making it medium strength, splash of milk, no sugar.” While someone else noted: “It means they don’t mind if it is strong or weak. And hasn’t specifically said sugar, so no sugar. In UK milk is seen as standard.”

Someone else quipped: “That’s an open invitation to freestyle it, serve it with a tiny umbrella and an olive.”

In a subsequent video, ellayyayy revealed what happened next. She uploaded the clip responding to a comment stating: “I hate when people say that. Just give me instructions.”

She described how she’d asked her husband’s friend to clarify what he meant, and he specified milk without sugar, while also repeating “as it comes”, which just left her more confused. “So, ‘as it comes’ referred basically to the strength,” she explained. “I didn’t know what to do with that so I thought, I’m gonna play it safe.” However, it was at this point that she made a contentious choice, reports the Mirror.

She went on: “I left the tea bag in. Milk, no sugar, left the tea bag in, brought him the cup of tea, milk, no sugar, tea bag in, and a little ramekin and a spoon just in case he wanted to take it out. And Mr ‘as it comes’, as soon as I hand him the mug, goes ‘oh, you left the tea bag in’.” Pulling a bewildered face, she went on: “Now I know. ‘As it comes’ just means ‘do whatever the f*** you want, I’ll drink it’.”

Commenters offered a variety of opinions. One remarked: “No one leaves a teabag in for black tea… Peppermint, fruit infusions etc, maybe, but not black tea…. But I understand that that could be seen as the lowest risk option.”

Another commented: “As it comes normally means ‘I’m not really really fussy about the colour/strength of the tea but it shouldn’t be very strong or very weak’. Pour boiling water over teabag, squeeze bag with back of spoon and remove. Add splash of milk and stir.” A further contributor stated: “As a Brit I’d never leave a plain teabag in, only herbal ones, but you’re right, ‘as it comes’ means ‘just give me a tea’.”

However, others held contrasting perspectives. One declared: “Call me crazy, I leave my teabag in till cup is empty. Yes, even black tea. I just love strong flavour. Same with the tea leaves in the teapot. I don’t remove them. they soak till the end.”

A total of 233 cameras capable of recording high-quality video and audio will be distributed.

This comes after the Manchester Arena Inquiry into the attack at an Ariana Grande concert, in which 22 people, including children, were killed.

Part of the inquiry examined the emergency response to the attack, including the fire service, the North West Ambulance Service and Greater Manchester Police.

The report highlighted the importance of capturing clear information and recording decision-making during major incidents, particularly when multiple emergency services are responding to complex and fast-moving situations.

These new cameras will help the fire service by providing a real-time view of what crews see, hear and communicate while attending incidents, as well as improving transparency and decision-making during major incidents.

They are also able to livestream, which means senior officers will be able watch incidents as they happen to provide additional support and oversight.

Frontline officers will be the first to receive the cameras, as well as the 52 fire appliances across 41 Greater Manchester stations, followed by prevention and protection teams and the incident command academy.

GMFRS has said that they will be used during a variety of incidents, from house fires and road traffic collisions to larger, more complex emergencies.

The roll-out comes after a successful trial of the cameras back in May 2025.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Carlos Meakin described the introduction of these cameras as a “significant step forward for our service”.

He said: “It’s about giving firefighters the tools they need to work safely and effectively at complex or fast-moving incidents, while also helping to protect our crews by providing a clear record of the challenges they face on the frontline.

“The ability to livestream footage and review it afterwards will strengthen how we support crews on the ground, improve training, and enhance how we respond to major emergencies.

“This investment reflects our commitment to learning from the Manchester Arena Inquiry and continuing to strengthen how we respond to incidents across Greater Manchester.”

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The Fire Brigades Union has also welcomed the move. Representative Dave Pike said: “The Fire Brigades Union played an active part in supporting its members throughout the Manchester Arena Inquiry and supports the outcomes that were reached.

“The FBU position nationally on body-worn cameras changed significantly after the Inquiry and was shaped in part with feedback from Greater Manchester officials.

“It’s important that new technology supports our members in doing their jobs safely and provides a clear and accurate record of incidents. These cameras will help protect our members, support learning and ensure there is transparency about what happens at incidents.”

Nigel Farage has been accused of being a “plastic patriot” by a cabinet minister for criticising the UK when abroad.

He hit out as the government’s plans to hand sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius – which is opposed by Farage and the Conservatives – stalled after Donald Trump withdrew his backing.

Speaking at a ‘Save Chagos Boat Party’ event last month, Farage said: “We think this is the central plan for this government’s foreign policy and we are beating them back.

President Trump has almost understood the deal, but I will be dining at Mar-a-Lago tomorrow night and we will reinforce the message.”

On Sky News on Sunday, Streeting said: “We’ve seen two things. We’ve seen extraordinary hypocrisy on the part of the Conservatives, who were also negotiating the Chagos deal. They understood when they were in government the importance of this and swiftly changed their tune on the other side.

“As for Mr Farage, the extent to which that man, that plastic patriot, is prepared to fly to Washington on a regular basis to slag off his own country to American audiences is utterly shameful, and why we should take his claims to be a patriot with a pinch of salt.”

Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

Jake Rothwell, 36, who was a well-known member of the community and a huge Bolton Wanderers fan, died suddenly on April 1.

On Saturday afternoon, his loved ones gathered at Farnworth Cricket Club to bid farewell to a man who was “a friend to so many”.

White and blue balloons, the colours of Bolton Wanderers, were released in tribute.

As if by fate, the rain held off as they floated high into the sky, and blue flares were set off.

Friends and family gathered, moments before the balloons were released (Image: NQ)

Jake is remembered by his children, Theo and Lucia, his partner Beccy Wheeler, his mother Gaynor Rothwell, his siblings Katie and Jordan Rothwell, and many others.

Jake’s partner, Beccy, told The Bolton News: “Jake and I got together three years ago.

“We were best friends from the start and quickly fell in love; we were inseparable.

“He really was the other half of me.

“We both loved to sing and dance, and loved Bolton Wanderers.

“I had the best three years of my life with him.

Jake and Beccy (Image: Supplied)

“Losing my best friend and love, when he was so young, has been the most devastating thing that could have happened.

“However, the love and support he has been shown by everyone during this hard time is truly heartwarming.

“He will be forever in my heart and always missed and loved.”

Jake’s sister, Katie, also shared a moving tribute on behalf of his family: “Jake was amazing.

“He was the best big brother to me and my brother Jordan, and the best dad to his kids, Theo and Lucia.

“He was also the best uncle to Mason and Reya, and was a loving, doting son to our mum, Gaynor.

“He could make anyone laugh, and today shows how much he was loved and adored.”

Gaynor added that it was “humbling to see so many people there, even people that have only crossed paths with him”.

“That’s how much of an effect he had on people,” she said.

“He was a friend to so many.”

Dozens paid tribute to Jake (Image: NQ)

To honour a “fallen Wanderer”, Jake’s best friend, Luke Robinson, invited fans to join in applause during the 36th minute of Bolton Wanderers’ home game against Stockport County on April 6.

At the match, rapturous applause filled the stadium as supporters clapped in the April sunshine for Jake.

A GoFundMe page to help the family give Jake “the send-off he deserves” has already raised nearly £6,000.

Attendees at the memorial also took part in a Grand National sweepstake and football card games, with all proceeds going to the GoFundMe.

Donations can be made at: https://gofund.me/5b2f8d805

Aran Sadler died following the incident at the Bob Smith Spring Cup at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough on Saturday (April 11), according to reports.

North Yorkshire Police said it is appealing for information after the rider came off a Kawasaki ZX636 during a race at around 3.20pm on Saturday.

The force said he was pronounced dead at the scene.

“The man’s family are aware and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time,” a police spokesperson said.

Police are urging any spectators present during the incident who have not yet spoken to officers to come forward.

Mr Sadler, from County Durham, was a former race winner at Oliver’s Mount and had previously competed at road racing events on the Isle of Man and in Northern Ireland.

He died after the incident in the SuperSport A Race 1 during Saturday’s Spring Cup, Northern Irish daily newspaper News Letter reported, citing a statement from Oliver Mount’s managing director, Andy Hayes.

Mr Hayes, in the statement, said Mr Sadler was a “tremendously popular member of our paddock community and a champion several times over at Oliver’s Mount”.

“He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him and raced alongside him.

“Our thoughts are entirely with Aran’s family and his partner Lorna at this devastating time.”

Mr Hayes said the track had consulted with Mr Sadler’s family and confirmed that racing would continue on Sunday.

“We ask everyone – in the paddock and in the grandstands – to keep Aran in their thoughts and to continue the consideration shown to Aran’s family and friends as it has been today,” Mr Hayes said.

“We are grateful to everyone who showed patience and respect in waiting for this official statement to be released. It means a great deal to Aran’s family and to us.”

The remainder of Saturday’s race programme was suspended following the incident, according to News Letter.

Earlier on Saturday, rider Joey Thompson said he had been “involved in an incident at Oliver’s Mount on lap one of the Supersport race”, adding: “I am sore but okay, thanks for the messages.”

Mr Thompson later said he would not be racing on Sunday as it was not “physically possible”.

“There is no one that wants to go racing more than me but unfortunately I just can’t do it today,” he said in a post on social media.

“My thoughts are with the family of Aran in these tough times.”

Tributes flooded in on social media for Mr Sadler after his death.

A Teesside Motorsports spokesperson said: “Aran was a familiar and valued face at Teesside, attending many events over the years, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, and the wider racing community at this difficult time.

“Rest in peace, Aran.”

The Bikers Blog said Mr Sadler was the reigning overall Oliver’s Mount Racing champion.

A spokesperson for the page described Mr Sadler as a “true racer who loved the sport and gave everything to it”.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, teammates and everyone in the road racing community at this incredibly difficult time,” they added.

“Rest easy, Aran.”

Oliver’s Mount has been approached for comment.

BERLIN (AP) — Union Berlin has appointed Marie-Louise Eta as the first female head coach in the men’s Bundesliga as it bids to ensure its league survival.

She becomes the first woman to take charge of a men’s team across the top divisions of Europe’s “big five” soccer leagues.

The 34-year-old Eta takes over from Steffen Baumgart, who was fired late Saturday with his assistants Danilo de Souza and Kevin McKenna after the team’s 3-1 loss at last-place Heidenheim, Union announced just before midnight.

Eta, who was coaching Union’s Under-19 men’s team and agreed earlier this month to take over as coach of Union’s women’s team next season, has five games to secure the Köpenick-based club’s Bundesliga survival.

“Staying in the Bundesliga is not yet guaranteed given the point-differences in the lower half of the table. I’m happy that the club entrusts me with this challenging task,” Eta told the club website. ”One of Union’s strengths has always been our ability to pull together in such situations. And of course I’m convinced that we’ll get the decisive points with the team.”

Eta already made history with Union in 2023 as the first female assistant coach in the Bundesliga and across the top divisions of the “big five” leagues. She had to step in for media duties for head coach Nenad Bjelica when he was suspended for three games in 2024.

“I’m delighted that Marie Louise Eta has agreed to take on this role on an interim basis before she becomes head coach of the women’s first team as planned in the summer,” Union sporting director Horst Heldt said in a statement.

Baumgart, a former Union player, was appointed during the 2024-25 winter break but Heldt said recent results prompted the club to take drastic action.

“We’ve had a completely disappointing second half of the season so far and we’re not letting the table fool us — our situation remains precarious and we desperately need points to secure our place in the league.”

Defeat in Heidenheim left Union in 11th place in the 18-team division, just seven points clear of St. Pauli in the relegation zone with five rounds remaining.

“Two wins out of 14 games since the winter break and the performances shown in recent weeks do not give us the confidence that we can turn things around with the current setup. We have therefore decided to make a fresh start,” Heldt said.

Union next hosts Wolfsburg, which is also fighting for survival, next weekend.

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An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that Marie-Louise Eta had previously served as a head coach.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer