Shay Given was quick to shut down criticism of David Raya following Arsenal’s victory over Sporting, with his fellow pundit claiming Caoimhin Kelleher was the superior goalkeeper of the two.

Raya is widely considered to have been the standout goalkeeper in the Premier League this season, producing a string of decisive performances to help the Gunners take a nine-point lead at the top.

The Gunners have shipped just 22 goals in the English top flight and the Spain international has been central to the side’s defensive rigidity, playing every single minute with only seven matches remaining of the campaign.

Mikel Arteta decided to rest Raya for two major setbacks in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup prior to Arsenal’s trip to Lisbon – and his absence was felt as the north Londoners’ quadruple hopes went up in smoke.

But the 30-year-old was restored to Arteta’s starting XI for Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday night and produced three important saves to keep the scoreline level before Kai Havertz’s breakthrough in the first minute of stoppage time.

Shortly after the final whistle, Raya was handed the official Player of the Match award for his contribution in the Portuguese capital, with Havertz later declaring his team-mate ‘the best in the world’.

‘It’s unbelievable,’ the German told Amazon Prime when asked about Raya’s showing between the sticks.

‘I think still underestimated in the world of football but, for me, the last two seasons, the best ‘keeper in the world.

‘He’s outstanding, he’s saved us so many times and we’re very glad to have him.’

Arteta was also glowing with his praise, admitting Arsenal were ‘very lucky’ to have such an ‘extraordinary’ goalkeeper in their ranks.

‘He had two moments where he made two big saves. And that’s the Champions League, the Champions League is always decided in the boxes and because there’s so much quality here,’ Arteta said.

‘At the moment he’s phenomenal and extraordinary since he joined us. We are very lucky to have him.’

However, it appears Raya is still yet to completely win over all fans and pundits, with Kenny Cunningham picking out what he felt was a ‘small weakness’ in the Spaniard’s game on Premier Sports Ireland.

The ex-Republic of Ireland, Wimbledon and Birmingham defender raised eyebrows with his bold assertion that Brentford’s Kelleher was the better goalkeeper.

‘In terms shot-stopping: very good, athletic. Does he make a fair number of good quality saves? Yeah, absolutely,’ Cunninham said shortly after Arsenal’s 1-0 win.

‘Decent with the ball at his feet, yeah. I think Caoimhin Kelleher is better in terms of his ball distribution.

‘In terms of coming off his line and dominating the box, the six-yard box and beyond, and really imposing himself, I don’t think he does it often enough.

‘I think he goes into his shell a little bit when the opposition put players into the six-yard box and I don’t think he dominates. I think that’s the small weakness in his game.

‘That’s why I don’t put him up with the likes of [Gianluigi] Donnarumma, [Thibaut] Courtois… Alisson we know is on the slide a little bit, to an extent.

‘Caoimhin Kelleher, for me, is the better goalkeeper. You need to tell me what attribute in his [Raya] game is better than Caoimhin Kelleher in terms of his shot-stopping, his distribution and his ability to command his box.

‘Where does he get the advantage on Caoimhin Kelleher? Those three facets.’

Shay Given, sat alongside Cunningham in the Premier Sports Ireland studio, made it clear he disagreed with his fellow countryman’s remarks about Raya.

‘I’m not sure you can compare Caoimhin Kelleher and David Raya. I’m here to talk about David Raya because he played tonight,’ the former Newcastle goalkeeper responded.

‘I said this before the game and I’m not saying I’m right and he’s [Cunningham] is wrong, I’m just saying the performance tonight was absolutely brilliant.

‘We talk about the save in the first half…’

Before Given could finish his sentence, Cunningham cut in: ‘One save, one very good save in the first half! That’s it. That [the praise from Kai Havertz] is his team-mate there, blowing smoke.’

But according to Given, Raya’s contribution this season is undoubtedly one of the key factors in Arsenal finding themselves in such a strong position in both the Premier League and Champions League.

‘You speak to people who know about goalkeepers and ask them… I think he’s one of the reasons they’re nine points clear at the top of the Premier League,’ Given explained.

‘One of the reasons why they’re probably one foot in the semi-finals of the Champions League is because of David Raya as well.

‘There are big games coming up around the corner over the next seven weeks and he’ll play a huge part in what they’re going to succeed with.’

On Cunningham’s claims that dominating the box was a ‘weakness’ for Raya, Given added: ‘I disagree with that as well. He’s one of the springiest, he picks crosses up from lots of stuff that other goalkeepers don’t come for.

‘I disagree with that totally. There was one at the start of the second half, he was on the halfway line, out for a header.

‘He’s a sweeper ‘keeper, he’s on the front foot and he reads the game so well. It’s not just about shot-stopping, it’s about decision-making, setting the tone of the game.

‘As a goalkeeper, he does everything.’

Cunningham was not done there, though, insisting Raya remained a level below the likes of Donnarumma and Courtois due to a lack of ‘aura’ and ‘personality’.

‘I think it is just in terms of the confidence. I think it’s an aura, a personality, a presence,’ he went on.

‘It’s difficult to put your finger on it. Hopefully I’m giving you an understanding of what I’m talking about.

‘I’m talking particularly in terms of crosses coming into the box, corner kicks, long throw-ins, it’s such an important part of the game.

‘Those other goalkeepers that you’re speaking about [Donnarumma and Courtois], for me, are ones who take responsibility.’

But again, Given hit back, pointing out how Donnarumma was a poor example to use based on some of the Italian’s performances for Manchester City this season.

‘I think Donnarumma has struggled this year, at times, with balls into the box and crosses into the box,’ he said.

‘He’s getting involved in fighting people and punching at stuff, flapping at things when balls are in the box and the physicality of it so I don’t think that’s a good example.

‘I think Donnarumma is a brilliant goalkeeper, I just think you’re being extremely harsh [on Raya], to say the least.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Manchester United legend Paul Scholes names the ‘best team in the world’

MORE: Mikel Arteta praises ‘magic’ Arsenal duo after win over Sporting

MORE: Jamie Carragher makes worrying Arsenal title claim after Champions League win

Drake’s Fisheries at 3-5 Silver Street, Knaresborough, re-opened on Thursday with a new pink-themed interior.

The popular restaurant and take-away closed last September, with the former manager Jaime Wilson, blaming rising costs and rents. He had run the business for 25 years.

Now, it will be run by Karley Thompson-Drake, along with sister Sara Drake.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Drakes says it will re-open Knaresborough and Ripon branches

The fish and chip shop is well-regarded, with it receiving 4.3 stars out of five on Tripadvisor, based on 1,322 reviews, ranking it 8th out of 60 restaurants in Knaresborough.

Google awards Drakes in Knaresborough 4.1 stars out of five, based on 828 Google reviews.

Customers have welcomed the re-opening.

One posted on Drake’s Knaresborough Facebook page: “Just had fish from the newly opened Drakes. Really good.”

Drakes has other restaurants and take-aways in York and Leeds.

Last September, the Drakes branch in Ripon also closed and the property has since been put on the market.

The Press has approached Drake’s for comment.

Crowds of people gathered in the Tehran, waving flags and chanting after the US and Iran announced a two-week conditional ceasefire.

Iran agreed to allow safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz if the US stopped its attacks.

The ceasefire comes more than a month after Israel and the US launched attacks on Iran, which led to Iran striking locations throughout the Gulf.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mediated the negotiations, saying the ceasefire was effective immediately.

Here is what we know about the ceasefire.

Bolton Museum’s Egypt Study Day, dedicated to ‘Animals in Ancient Egyptian Religion,’ was fully booked within three days of tickets being released.

In response to popular demand, organisers have announced a second date for the event, which will now also take place on Saturday, June 6.

A children’s ceramic rattle in the shape of a hedgehog (Image: Zoopla)

Ian Trumble, a curator at Bolton Museum, said: “Since the first one in 2024, our study days have been going from strength to strength.

“There are so many aspects of ancient Egyptian history that we are keen to explore, and we were sure that the theme of animals would have a wide appeal.

“We are delighted that the first date has sold out and are very pleased to be able to run a second date.

“Once again, we have attendees coming from all over the UK, a great testament to the importance of Bolton’s Egyptology collection and the quality of events that Bolton has to offer.”

The study day will feature lectures and workshops delivered by leading Egyptologists, drawing on items from Bolton’s acclaimed Egypt collection – the largest held by any local authority museum in the UK.

Confirmed speakers include Professor Joann Fletcher, who will open the day with a lecture on the animal kingdom of ancient Egypt.

Dr Campbell Price, curator of Egypt and Sudan at Manchester Museum, will discuss ‘the pharaoh as animal hybrid’ in his talk examining the symbolism and identity of Egypt’s rulers.

Other sessions will include practical workshops on animal mummification, object handling, and gallery tours comparing ancient artefacts with natural history specimens.

The event will conclude with a live demonstration of how animal mummies were wrapped, led by Dr Price and Dr Lidija McKnight.

Professor Fletcher said: “We so love being part of Bolton’s very special study days, which are always such a fantastic opportunity to work with colleagues and share knowledge.

“They’re a perfect showcase for Bolton’s world-class Egyptology collection, and a chance to meet up with people from right across the UK who come to Bolton to attend, many of whom have become good friends.”

3500-year-old votive plaque of a cat from Serabit el-Khadim, Sinai, Egypt (Image: Zoopla)

Full-day tickets cost £50 for adults and £40 for children, with individual lecture tickets also available.

Tickets can be purchased in person at the Bolton Museum Shop or online via Eventbrite.

While the event does not focus on human remains, organisers advise that discussions may include references to death, burial, and the process of mummification.

Tickets can be booked here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/boltons-egypt-spring-study-day-animals-in-ancient-egyptian-religion-tickets-1984866401839

Channel 4 has confirmed whether it will air an episode of The Great Celebrity Bake Off featuring Scott Mills following his dismissal from the BBC

Channel 4 has released a statement confirming whether it will air an episode of Celebrity Bake Off featuring Scott Mills in the wake of allegations made against him.

The radio presenter had been due to appear on screens within the coming weeks in a pre-recorded instalment of The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer.

He filmed the special last year, with other celebrities appearing throughout the series including Ambika Mod, Molly-Mae Hague and JoJo Siwa.

There had been uncertainty surrounding whether the episode would still go ahead following Mills’ dismissal from the BBC.

Channel 4 has now confirmed: “Having carefully considered the circumstances, we’ve taken the decision not to air the final episode of the 2026 series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer, featuring Scott Mills,” reports the Mirror.

READ MORE: Amanda Holden exposed as I’m A Celebrity star shares ‘mortifying’ intimate detailREAD MORE: Strictly legend slams pro dancers’ comments about being axed after ‘bloodbath’

“Acknowledging the seriousness of the accusations that have been made against Scott, we don’t believe it would be appropriate to air the episode at this time. An alternative episode of Celebrity GBBO will go out in its place.”

This follows reports that Mills was let go by the BBC amid an allegation of personal conduct. It is further understood that the allegation relates to a relationship stretching back over a decade.

It has since come to light that the BBC’s decision to sack Mills is connected to a 2016 police investigation into “serious sexual offences” against a teenage boy.

Mills was questioned by police under caution, though the case was subsequently dropped owing to insufficient evidence. It is understood, however, that his dismissal is connected to this particular matter.

The 53-year-old DJ was suddenly removed from his Radio 2 programme last week while the BBC evaluated the information.

The BBC said in a statement: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.”

Mills later broke his silence, saying: “: “The recent announcement that I am no longer contracted to the BBC has led to the publication of rumour and speculation.”

The statement continued: “An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018.

Advertisement

“As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.

“Since the investigation related to an allegation that dates back nearly 30 years and the police investigation was closed 7 years ago, I hope that the public and the media will understand and respect my wish not to make any further public comment on this matter.

“I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss.”

Earlier this year, Mills had expressed his excitement about joining The Great Celebrity Bake Off when the line-up was revealed.

He posted on social media: “Putting my baking skills to the test. Honoured to be part of the new series of The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer.”

“Coming soon to Channel 4 | To find out more about Stand Up To Cancer and how you can donate, visit su2c.org.uk.”

As Nasa’s Artemis II mission completed its lunar flyby, the astronauts sent back a stunning image of the colourful Earth setting behind the Moon. This breathtaking photo, called Earthset, draws inevitable comparisons with the original Earthrise photo from the Apollo 8 flight in 1968.

The Apollo-era photo showed our planet climbing above the lunar horizon. It revealed Earth as a bright blue oasis, standing out against the vast blackness of space and the barren Moon.

As I described in my book, Earthrise: a Short History of the Whole Earth, the effect of this image (actually part of a set) was profound. It caused a sensation on its release and helped inspire the burgeoning environmental movement.

À lire aussi :
Earthrise to Earthset: how the planet’s climate has changed since the photo that inspired the environmental movement

The polished image from Artemis II and the slightly askew picture from Apollo 8 are, however, the product of entirely different approaches to photography from space.

“I don’t want to see you guys looking out the window,” Apollo 8 commander Frank Borman warned his colleagues Jim Lovell and Bill Anders during the 1968 mission to orbit the Moon.

Astronauts back then were discouraged from wasting film on touristy snapshots of the Earth. The Apollo 8 mission plan listed Earth images as mere “targets of opportunity”, the lowest priority of all.

The way the two missions kicked off underline the differences between 1968 and 2026. The crew of Apollo 8 took no still photos of Earth on the way out, but had reluctantly agreed to take a black-and-white TV camera for live transmissions.

They were unable to fit the telephoto lens to the camera in time for the first transmission, so viewers saw only a fuzzy blob of light. Once the lens was fitted, the Moon bounced around the screen while mission control tried to issue “up a bit, down a bit” instructions with a 1.3-second delay.

Despite this more haphazard approach to photography during some of the Apollo missions, the imagery from that era looms large in the public imagination. Earthrise is one icon from that era; another is the whole-Earth image known as Blue Marble – taken in 1972 during the Apollo 17 mission.

One of the earliest images released by Nasa from the Artemis II flight was a crystal-clear image of our planet taken on a tablet computer by the mission’s commander, Reid Wiseman. The image of Earth’s full disk, initially dubbed “Hello, World” but later changed to “mother Earth”, clearly recalls the iconic Blue Marble photo.

Unlike that famous daytime image from 1972, it shows the Earth at night – but has been enhanced to look like daylight. In the new photo, auroras can be seen at the poles and a thin crescent of sunlight is visible, glowing through the atmosphere. Both photos show a predominance of southern ocean and cloud, with Europe just visible near the rim.

The Earthrise image from 1968 came about largely due to the initiative of Anders. On the mission’s fourth orbit around the Moon, the three crew members were busy photographing it in black and white when Anders noticed some unexpected colour out of the corner of his eye. “Oh my God! Look at that picture over there! Here’s the Earth coming up,” he exclaimed.

After a brief tussle over cameras and colour film, he snapped Earthrise using a mechanical Hasselblad camera with no viewfinder. No-one would see any of their pictures until after they returned to Earth and the film could be developed and printed.

As well as its impact on environmentalists, the image also inspired a young David Bowie in London. Shortly afterwards, he wrote the song Space Oddity about a stranded astronaut gazing upon an Earth to which he can never return.

À lire aussi :
David Bowie and the birth of environmentalism: 50 years on, how Ziggy Stardust and the first UN climate summit changed our vision of the future

As Artemis II swung round the Moon on April 6, anticipation grew for a modern counterpart to Apollo 8’s legendary image. Before the flyby, Nasa had released simulations of what the Artemis astronauts would see. The simulations showed a half-lit Moon with the distant crescent Earth at its side and clear black space between – like twin planets.

Earthset is different from Earthrise because the Moon is farther away, and because the Earth is only partially sunlit. While Artemis II swept round the Moon in a leisurely, gravity powered slingshot five thousand miles away, Apollo 8 orbited the Moon ten time from just 70 miles up. This gives us a small crescent Earth rising and setting behind an almost full lunar disc.

Nasa seems to have chosen to showcase the Earthset image because it feels more like the familiar 1968 Earthrise. The Artemis images of the Earth rising show a small crescent Earth with its back to the lunar horizon, like the new Moon as seen from Earth.

Environmental awakening

Apollo 8’s Earthrise, released two days after splashdown, was not seen in colour until the weekly magazines appeared. Space enthusiasts had expected Earth to appear relatively insignificant in the vastness of space. The phrase “Earth is man’s cradle, but one cannot live in the cradle forever” was a familiar quote at the time.

But viewed from the vicinity of the barren lunar landscape, the Earth looked even more like home. Borman thought “this is what God sees”, while Anders mused: “We came all this way to the Moon … and yet the most significant thing we’re seeing is our own home planet, the Earth.”

The image’s link to the environmental movement is unsurprising when viewed in this light. The Apollo 8 image was used in the logo for the first Earth Day in 1970 and, as the Apollo programme was ending, Earth sciences – the study of our home planet – began to take off.

The 1972 Blue Marble image also resonated among environmentalists. It was replicated by Nasa’s deep space telescope DSCOVR 50 years later. A side-by-side comparison between the 2022 DSCOVR image and the 1972 photo highlights the effects of environmental degradation.

In the intervening years, much of Madagascar had turned from tropical green to brown from deforestation, the Sahara had expanded, the Antarctic ice had retreated, and ancient snows had disappeared from the mountains of Iran.

It remains to be seen whether the images from Artemis II will have a comparable impact on the global environmental consciousness. However, the title of Earthset is perhaps the perfect name in an era where societies are threatened by climate change.

The crew of Artemis II have made clear where the priorities still lie. “It is so great to hear from Earth again,” said mission specialist Christina Koch as the craft regained radio contact after a brief blackout as the spacecraft passed behind the Moon.

“We do not leave Earth but we choose it … We will inspire, but ultimately we will always choose Earth.”

The This Morning presenter, 51, previously told how she was shocked into action when it came to her health

Alison Hammond has addressed the secret to her weight loss as she admitted she had a ‘childish mentality’ when it come to the food she ate.

The This Morning presenter, 51, was shocked into action following a pre-diabetic health warning and has spent the past five years transforming her health and wellbeing, with her reported to have dropped 11 stone.

Previously speaking to Women’s Health, she said: “My mum had Type 2 diabetes and she was worried for me, so when I then found out that I was pre-diabetic, that was frightening. I thought ‘I have to be an adult about this’. The sweets had to stop, and the fatty foods.’

Alison’s now told how she started working with a personal trainer and she’s also been seen taking up Reformer Pilates and boxing, sharing videos of herself exercising online.

Speaking to the Radio Times about her improved lifestyle, Alison said: “I’ve had a personal trainer for five years, even when I was at my biggest. But I had a childish mentality with regards to food, especially toffees – but now I’ll only have a couple a day.

“We’re not getting any younger, are we, babes? You realise at some point you’ve got to look after yourself. I’ve got a speaker under my pillow to play relaxing music, and a sleep tracker.”

It comes as Alison also opened up about her love life. The presneter has spoken out about the age difference in her relationship with Russian model and masseur David Putman.

“I completely understand why people are interested when there’s a 22-year gap,” she told the Daily Mail. “But what I find interesting is that it’s not as interesting when it’s the man who is older. Why is that? I just want people to be happy for us. We are absolutely in love.”

The former Highlanders co-captain was found dead at his home in New Zealand last August

The partner of deceased rugby player Shane Christie has opened up on the extent of his suffering in the final years of his life due to the symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).

The Maori All Blacks back-row died of suspected suicide last August, following a nine-year struggle with his mental health. The former Highlanders flanker was found dead at his home in Nelson, New Zealand, just a day before his 40th birthday.

Christie, who also played for the Crusaders and the All Blacks’ sevens team before retiring from rugby in 2018 at the age of 32, was discovered by police, with his death treated as a suspected suicide.

After his retirement from the game, Christie had publicly announced that he believed he was suffering from CTE – a neurodegenerative brain condition caused by repeated head injuries – after experiencing symptoms including headaches, speech and memory issues, depression and mood swings.

Christie has since been diagnosed, by a pathologist at the University of Auckland’s brain bank, as having “high stage” CTE at the time of his death.

Now, his partner Holly Parkes has spoken about the challenge Christie encountered – saying he had become unrecognisable compared to the man he was before he sustained multiple serious concussions.

Christie battled to manage what was suspected to be CTE at the time, yet he remained committed to staying involved in the game.

“When concussions ended his playing career, he transitioned to coaching alongside me,” Parkes told Stuff NZ.

“I still remember how often he needed sleep breaks throughout the day or had to sit in a blacked-out office with noise-cancelling earmuffs on.”

The severity of Christie’s concussions intensified over time, with the most serious taking place in 2016.

“These were very, very big hits,” added Parkes. “After one of his last ones in 2016, his eyes were rolling to the back of his head, and he was having difficulty breathing.”

As the long-term effects of his head injuries began to manifest, every facet of Christie’s life altered.

According to Parkes, his personality transformed and he struggled to adjust to life while enduring constant, overwhelming pain.

Christie, who co-captained the Highlanders during his playing days, found it nearly impossible to manage the daily pain and pursued ways to ease his symptoms.

“He was selling his house to pay for treatment in America so that he could try and get his head right,” Parkes added.

“He took so many trips looking for ‘the best’ overseas, but I think it was just a bit too late or not comprehensive enough.

“When he became stressed, he didn’t seem to be able to handle it as well as he used to.

“He would lose things and sometimes had to ask people in public to help him because he was confused or overwhelmed.

“Privacy had always been one of his key values, but even that changed a lot when he became much more open to letting strangers into our lives.”

Follow all of our channels to ensure you stay up to date with the latest Welsh rugby news. Sign up to our free daily newsletter here and our WhatsApp channel here for all the breaking news.