Mayor warns of ‘significant rise’ in Greater Manchester’s Covid hospital admissions in the past week

Pep Guardiola, Johan Cruyff and Sir Alex Ferguson are three of the most revered coaches of our time, but for some reason, none of them have tried the revolutionary idea of sticking a goalkeeper up front.Thankfully, there's one man who has.Step forward Stuart Pearce, who, on the final day of the 2004-05 season, made the madcap decision to convert David James into a centre-forward as Manchester City chased qualification for the UEFA Cup.With two minutes of normal time remaining and City needing to score, 'Psycho' lived up to his name (and then some) by replacing midfielder Claudio Reyna with second-choice stopper Nicky Weaver and throwing James up front.Pearce had hoped to unsettle the Middlesbrough defence, but according to Boro No.1 Mark Schwarzer - James' opposite number in the Teessiders' goal - it actually delivered the opposite effect. Schwarzer, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side Bet on Leicester v West Ham, revealed the reaction of the shocked Boro players.

This Morning were left gobsmacked after Alison Hammond asked a couple with a 51-year age gap about their sex life.Tisele and Wilson from South Africa appeared on the ITV show to discuss the dynamics of their relationship and how they are perceived by others.Wilson, who was clearly much older than his wife, told viewers he was interested in her the first time they met but also told a little white lie about his age.But things became rather uncomfortable when Alison probed the pair on their bedroom antics, which some viewers felt was a bit too much.Rushing to Twitter, fans shared their thoughts.One viewer penned: "The bedroom question was one question too far."Another said: "This is a painful interview to watch.

Dubai was reportedly attacked by guards as Prince William visited the country on an official visit.Billy Hood, 25, is currently serving a 10-year sentence for “unintentionally possessing” CBD vape oil in the United Arab Emirates country.As the Duke of Cambridge was meeting with UAE diplomats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Thursday, (February 10), Billy was allegedly attacked by Emirati authorities, according to non-profit organisation Detained in Dubai.Billy’s family are now appealing to the Prince to help bring Billy back to the UK after his appeal to overturn the sentence was refused, despite no court hearing taking place.According to Detained in Dubai, Billy has been isolated in a tiny cell that could fit only a mattress and is said to have hit the wall in frustration.Four prison guards are then alleged to have opened his cell and repeatedly beat him, causing him to bleed.Reports have also claimed that Billy was previously beaten and tasered and forced to confess.His brother Alex Hood said: “I am disgusted that the UK would ever allow this to happen to a British citizen and that they have not already intervened. This is not the first time he has been assaulted while in custody and over what? CBD oil that the court accepted, was not even his.“In accepting this kind of treatment and just ‘raising concerns’ without any actual consequence, the UK is essentially sanctioning these abuses again and again.

Jamie Carragher’s job as a Monday Night Football pundit in the future.The West Ham superstar recently spoke to Carragher’s Sky Sports colleague Gary Neville in a lengthy interview for the latest episode of The Overlap Podcast.Rice’s bold claim came when Manchester United legend Neville told the Hammers midfielder: “I've not spoken to a footballer at your age that's as switched on from a media perspective [as you are].”Neville added: "Carragher's in trouble, isn't he? On Monday Night Football?"To which Rice replied: "Carragher's a goner! I'm coming for him!"Carragher tweeted after seeing the podcast: "Well get yourself on MNF in March... let's see what you've got!"The acting Hammers captain then joked: "You sure you want that...

Prince Andrew was a “constant sex pest” who wanted to know about her love life during sessions.Emma Gruenbaum, 50, claims the Duke of York would ask her about “anal sex” and was told “not to make a fuss” when the massages had to be in his bedroom at Royal Lodge in Windsor.She says the sessions with Andrew took place almost weekly for two months, and claims he made a comment about her bottom, prompting her to swear at him over his remark. Speaking to the Sun, the sports therapist claims Andrew, 61, said “Hey nice a****.

Allies of Skin 20% Vitamin C Brighten + Firm Serum, £85. Apply a modicum of foundation indoors as it will make you feel better, especially if you are glued to Zoom and want to appear well-rested.

Valentine’s Day, avoid the expensive themed restaurant offerings and cook something special at home for your loved one. I’m not suggesting you go to a local farm and pick out a duck, but taking the time to work on a romantic menu says more than any novelty gift, or certainly flowers from the petrol station.Eating together is intimate and the dishes I’ve chosen here are designed for sharing.

Dan Walker quit Football Focus last April after 12 years as its lead presenter.The star went on to compete in Strictly Come Dancing later that year, whilst also juggling his presenting role at BBC Breakfast and hosting The NFL Show alongside fellow former Strictly contestant, Jason Bell. Former professional American Football player Jason Bell, 43, joined Zoe Ball on her BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show today to discuss the upcoming Super Bowl 56, which will take place this Sunday. The Super Bowl is the USA’s biggest sporting event of the year, featuring a playoff championship game of the National Football League (NFL). Jason was a cornerback in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, and New York Giants. However, in recent years, the sports star has strapped on his dancing shoes to compete in BBC fan-favourite show Strictly. Jason competed in the series in 2020 alongside professional dance partner Luba Mushtuk, but was unfortunately second out of the competition after former Labour Party politician Jacqui Smith.Nonetheless, when quizzed by Zoe about Strictly, he gushed about his time on the show, admitting that he still likes to dance and that his young daughter is “infatuated” with it. Zoe then asked Jason if his pal Dan Walker, 44, had asked him for advice before entering the latest series of the show back in September, as the pair have both been presenting on the NFL Show together since November 2020. “He did ask me and I said, ‘Dan, you’ll be great on it,’ because I know Dan’s personality,” Jason confirmed.  “Dan is one of the best people I’ve ever met, he is just a nice human being.So I said, ‘This will be perfect for you.’“Dan steps up to challenges and that’s what you need to do when you get on Strictly.”The BBC

Sundara Karma have announced their new EP ‘Oblivion!’ and shared its title track – you can hear the new song below.The forthcoming record follows on from the band’s November 2020 EP ‘Kill Me’. Their last studio album, ‘Ulfilas’ Alphabet’, was released in March 2019.Produced by Clarence Clarity, the ‘Oblivion!’ EP is set for release on April 1 via Chess Club Records and is available to pre-order here.Speaking about the title track, Sundara Karma’s Oscar Pollock said: “‘Oblivion!’ came together so quickly, I wrote the whole thing in about two days in the summer last year. I had been revisiting a lot of my favourite music from around 2003 and was feeling quite nostalgic at the time.

Kate Nash has shared a new single called ‘Imperfect’ – you can listen to it below.The track is the latest preview of the singer-songwriter’s fifth studio album, which is due to arrive at some point this year. Following on from 2018’s ‘Yesterday Was Forever’, the record will also feature the 2021 songs ‘Horsie’ and ‘Misery’.“My co-star Kimmy Gatewood and some of our brilliant writers Rachel Shukert and Sascha Rothchild from GLOW asked me if I could write a tween pop anthem for an episode of The Babysitters Club (Netflix) that they were all working on,” Nash explained of how ‘Imperfect’ came about.“I’ve been writing for TV, film and musical theatre recently and it’s been so liberating as I get to explore different sides of being a songwriter.

Liam Gallagher has spoken out against Coldplay being nominated for a BRIT Award for Best Rock/Alternative Act.The four-piece were nominated for the award at Tuesday’s ceremony (February 8) along with Glass Animals, Tom Grennan, Wolf Alice and this year’s winner, Sam Fender.Speaking to Absolute Radio ahead of the BRITs on Tuesday, Gallagher was asked for his prediction for which artist would triumph in the Best Rock/Alternative Act category.At the mention of Coldplay, Gallagher said “leave it out”, adding: “They’re not rock, man.”“If they’re rock, man… Jesus!” he continued. “I mean, I like Chris Martin and he wrote some great albums and all that, when I think about it.

Manchester Evening News' political editor, Jennifer Williams, said the payment will be "welcomed" in Greater Manchester.

Manchester Evening News' political editor, Jennifer Williams, also appeared on The Andrew Marr Show to talk about the new support payment, which will be "welcomed" in Greater Manchester.

Manchester Evening News reported yesterday how 110 schools across the region now have confirmed Covid cases. Thousands of pupils with positive cases in their 'bubbles' have been sent home and told to self-isolate since schools reopened.

coronavirus outbreak began, the latest data for Greater Manchester shows.

risen in every single borough across the city-region to above the national average. Seven of the local authorities are on 'red alert' amid spiralling numbers of cases, which have more than doubled during the course of a week.

Andy Burnham has slammed health secretary Matt Hancock for the way the government has announced a string of new coronavirus restrictions affecting Greater Manchester.The region’s mayor says the approach has kept local leaders in the dark and led to ‘anxiety and confusion’ among residents.He said he fears ministers are in danger of ‘losing the public’ and is calling for a return to daily briefings led by expert scientists and medics.Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Burnham said it was critical the government won back people’s confidence before the winter, warning that 'lives are at stake'.He said: “I think this is urgently needed, we have to win back the public trust and boost public understanding of some of the

here“Leaders are talking about a form of local shielding - perhaps not the full national programme we saw earlier this year - but certainly a discussion is now underway about whether we can have a shielding programme in Greater Manchester that affords greater protection to the members of the community most at risk.”He added: “We believe as we go into the autumn and winter this is something that will be needed and is the right thing to do.

in Bolton to spike, Andy Burnham has said.The mayor revealed he had heard reports of a ‘super-spreader’ in the town who had gone out drinking after returning from holiday.He was told that someone coming back from holiday and going out drinking “is linked to a large part of the problem”.In a Greater Manchester coronavirus press conference today, the mayor said it could be one person responsible or a small number of people causing pubs to be shut.He added there is a “real concern” about the extra pressure being placed on GMP as a result of people ignoring quarantine rules.On Tuesday, stricter lockdown measures were introduced in Bolton due to a sudden spike in cases in the town.The Health Secretary said the decision came after a number of

in Bolton due to a “significant rise in cases” in the borough.

across Bolton is “nowhere near enough”, Andy Burnham has said. The mayor spoke out about the initiative during a Greater Manchester coronavirus press conference this afternoon.The scheme, announced by the Treasury at 2pm, will allow businesses across England to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks.The grant applies to firms that have been forced to shut due to Covid-19 restrictions and aims to provide a “safety net” to protect jobs.During the press conference, the Mayor was asked whether he thinks the scheme is sufficient.He said: “No I don’t.