Frank Lampard, the Sky Blues’ manager, was pleased that his “big call” to change his goalkeeper was honored as a result of their promotion to the Championship play-off spot.
Ben Wilson made six saves in Lampard’s 2-0 win over Middlesbrough, his first start since October, as a replacement for Brad Collins.
Coventry will now face Sunderland in a play-off semi-final on Friday at the CBS Arena (10:00 BST).
Lampard told BBC CWR, “It’s a big call.” When you switch up for the final game of the season, “all eyes are on the goalkeeper.”
Images courtesy of Getty
Following a number of errors in the previous few games, most notably the injury-time winner Luton Town’s goal at Kenilworth Road seven days ago, Collins was dropped.
Coventry’s play-off destiny was unknown at the time of the final game, but Wilson had been a huge help to Boro.
With the game goalless in the first half, he made a significant save to deny Finn Azaz, and Wilson made some crucial save saves to keep that advantage after the visitors threatened to equalize after the break.
Lampard, 32, injured his knee when he first joined the club in November, but he recovered, waited, and showed his appreciation to his manager on Saturday.
Ben claimed that he was injured quite badly, and that he only recently claimed that he was feeling better and looking better.
It’s difficult to train at their level for a goalkeeper with an injury. He was only recently ready, and I already knew that.
Joe Swash has opened up about his shopping addiction and how it has caused him to spend “pointless” money, which he knows will irritate his wife Stacey Solomon tonight before making an appearance on Blankety Blank.
Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash(Image: (Image: BBC))
EastEnders’ Joe Swash has opened up about his “addiction” to online shopping on TikTok, which he fears could land him in “big trouble” with his wife, Loose Women’s Stacey Solomon.
The TV star openly acknowledged that he frequently falls for items sold at low prices but ends up buying them in bulk, a fact he believes is influenced by his ADHD, and expressed his concerns about the financial impact of his frequent impulse purchases.
ADHD, as described by the NHS website, means your brain functions in a different fashion, leading to difficulties with concentration and sitting still.
Additionally, the condition can lead to an increased tendency to act impulsively, such as while shopping.
Joe confessed that his most recent purchase, a slingshot chicken finger toy, caught his attention while planning family time for his and Stacey’s brood, including their children Rex, Rose, Belle, and Joe’s Harry, along with Stacey’s sons Zachary and Leighton from previous relationships, on Tom Price’s “My Mate Bought A Toaster” podcast.
Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon playing with their two youngest children (Image: BBC/Optomen Television)
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Joe eagerly admitted to buying 20 of them for Tom. The host, who also has ADHD, said, “There’s going to be a slingshot chicken off when daddy gets home, so everyone’s going to be able to have a go.”
There will definitely be, Joe quipped. Or Stacey will cause me serious trouble because I simply cheated up money on another pointless product.
When asked about his spending habits, the I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! champ confessed: “Yeah. I think the trap that I fall into is that because I feel like I buy stuff at a low price, I forget about the quantity of stuff that I’m getting.
Joe Swash and Stacey Solomon disagree over his purchases(Image: BBC)
So instead of spending hundreds of dollars on three or four items that might be really expensive but still be useful, I’ll spend more on small things.
Joe acknowledged that getting his wife’s support during online shopping hits and misses was difficult because “she’s not comfortable with my TikTok addiction. She therefore refuses to participate in it.
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The TV star, who is currently receiving treatment for ADHD, said, “I’ve just been diagnosed with it, so I’m sort of new to it. So I’ve started the medication and stuff like that, so I’m not really sure [about it].
He humorously stated, “I lost the medication, I believe, it’s all swings and roundabouts. Therefore, I had to place an additional order for the medication.
After scoring twice against struggling Southampton on December 8th, Rudi van Nistelrooy says it’s “good to wrap up the season with positivity” to praise his Leicester City side.
Vardy’s win over Southampton increases the goaltally to 199.
Just days before the start of the new series’ filming season, Geordie Shore star Sophie Kasaei and her boyfriend Jordan Brook reportedly left the MTV reality series.
Our source claims that Geordie Shore legend Sophie won’t be making a second appearance on the show.
The new series of Geordie Shore has been thrown into chaos before the cameras have even rolled after two of the main stars pulled out. We hear OG Sophie Kasaei and her boyfriend Jordan Brook have quit, leaving producers pulling their hair out. With filming due to begin in Portugal later this week, our insider tells us the mood is not great in camp. The source says: “Sophie and Jordan pulled out last-minute, and it’s caused mayhem. The rest of the cast are upset and confused – they feel it won’t be the same without them. Nobody’s quite sure what’s gone on… it happened days before everyone was flying out to Portugal and it’s the talk of the show.”
Sophie has been a Geordie Shore favourite since the show’s 2011 launch. She won viewers over by talking openly about her fertility battle. In 2023, she joined rival reality series, The Only Way Is Essex.
Sophie was a part of the original Geordie Shore cast in 2011(Image: Mirrorpix)
In March, we revealed Geordie Shore ’s 26th series would come from Lisbon – and told how it was kicking off behind the scenes as the stars of the show weren’t happy about the money being offered.
Insiders told us earlier this year that some of the star had demanded up to £50,000 for a couple of weeks’ filming. Our source also says some of the OGs were less than impressed about the direction the show appears to be going in. They explain: “It’s become more scripted than unscripted, with some clamping down on what can be said. But that’s not what Geordie Shore is all about. Fans love how raw and uncensored it is. It has definitely got people’s backs up.” Portugal was chosen as the latest location after the gang went to the Thai party island of Ko Samui for a recent nine-episode outing earlier this year.
In 2022, Sophie and Jordan began dating.
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Holly Hagan, Chloe Ferry, Ricci Guarnaccio, and James Tindale are still a part of the cast, which we’re pleased to hear.
In the final series, Ricci and James almost broke up, with the pair almost coming to terms with each other’s simmering tensions. Jay Gardner made a comment about James’ ex-fiancee Leah Bowley in the 2023 reunion series that set off the conversation. When Ricci attempted to defend his friend Jay, the situation erupted into a physical altercation.
Sophie and Jordan have been candidly sharing their ongoing journey towards parenthood.
The couple, who have been together since November 2022, have faced challenges in their quest to conceive but remain optimistic and united in their efforts.
Their fertility journey has been a topic they’ve openly discussed with fans. Sophie, diagnosed with endometriosis in 2020, has been transparent about the challenges they’ve faced. She shared to OK! magazine, “I thought I’d get pregnant straight away, but it’s a lot harder than people think.” Despite the hurdles, Sophie remains hopeful, stating, “I won’t give up. It will happen one day.”
Jordan has also been open about their experiences. He revealed that the couple had been trying to conceive for more than a year and had a sporadic false positive, which was emotionally draining.
Continue reading the article.
He acknowledged that, contrary to popular belief, “Forget about it, when you don’t think about it, it’s going to happen,” but trust me, you can’t. They’ve chosen to take a more relaxed approach, stepping back from stringent ovulation tests and tracking, to lessen the pressure. More than anything, Jordan said, “I want to be a dad.” She and I are both ready to be wonderful mothers.
David Beckham will celebrate his 50th in style with his family and A-list pals tonight – but there’s one VIP guest who is likely to be missing
David Beckham is throwing an intimate dinner party for his 50th birthday tonight (Image: PA)
David Beckham turned 50 on Friday and has already celebrated with a black tie pre-birthday bash in Miami and a family gathering at his £10 million home in the Cotswolds where guests could drive supercars.
The footie legend also hired a £40 million Brigadier Global 6000 private jet and spent an afternoon wine tasting in Bordeaux, where he was spotted holding a £3,000 bottle of wine. He later had dinner at his favourite restaurant, Chez l’Ami Louis, in Paris with his family, in what was called a ‘perfect day’.
But the celebrations are set to continue in London tonight with an intimate dinner party at swanky central London restaurant Core by Clare Smyth, which has no less than three Michelin stars. The posh seven-course menu starts from £420 per person, including wine pairing.
It’s thought David’s A-list pals like Tom Cruise, Guy Ritchie, Gordon and Tana Ramsay and his former teammates will be in attendance at the sit-down meal for around 40 select guests. Of course wife Victoria will also be there, along with their kids, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and 13-year-old Harper.
READ MORE: Brooklyn Beckham feud explained as his appearance at dad’s 50th hangs in balance
David Beckham was snapped getting off a private jet a Luton Airport ahead of his 50th birthday party(Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
But one very important person who apparently hasn’t RSVP’d yet is eldest son Brooklyn, 26, and his actress and heiress wife Nicola Peltz, 30. The pair were noticeably missing when the Beckhams private jet landed at Luton airport yesterday with the rest of the family, including Romeo’s girlfriend Kim Turnbull, as well as Cruz’s girlfriend Jackie Apostel, on board.
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Brooklyn has so far failed to wish his father a Happy Birthday on social media. Wife Nicola has also stayed silent. Though the couple are reportedly in the UK right now, it’s unclear if they are attending David’s big birthday bash tonight.
A source told The Sun: “Tonight is the big London bash with his celeb pals, family and friends but although Brooklyn and his wife, Nicola, are invited – and are in town – they have yet to RSVP.”
It’s not known if Brooklyn and wife Nicola will attend David’s birthday bash tonight (Image: Instagram)
The source added: “There has been some contact between them though. So it’s all very up in the air. There’s certainly a lot of tension there right now, but David just wants to focus on the positives, and what will be will be.”
There are rumours of another feud between Brooklyn and his family, which is reported to be over brother Romeo’s new girlfriend Kim. The 24-year-old is a London-based model and DJ who used to date Guy Ritchie and Madonna’s son Rocco.
But she is also said to have once dated Brooklyn when they were teenagers, which hasn’t gone down well with his wife Nicola. The couple are said to have distanced themselves from family gatherings so they don’t cross paths with Kim.
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According to media outlets across the pond, Brooklyn and Nicola allegedly believe Kim does not have the right intentions when it comes to dating Romeo. However, Victoria is said to adore Kim and Cruz’s girlfriend Jackie Apostel. So will Brooklyn be a no-show at his dad’s birthday bash?
READ MORE: Lovehoney flash sale slashes prices of ‘must have’ summer items to under £20
Do you have a story to share? Email me at katie.wilson01@reachplc.com
Following the city-state’s general election, Singapore’s long-governing People’s Action Party (PAP) appeared to be firmly in control, but early voter surveys suggest the Workers’ Party (WP) may be able to hold its ground in challenging the PAP’s dominance in a number of crucial areas.
About 87 of the 97 seats in parliament, including five secured uncontested seats, were ahead in the sample counts released by the Elections Department on Saturday, according to the results of the election process.
By early Sunday, the final tally was anticipated.
The real test, even if the PAP had already won, was how much support it could hold, particularly under the leadership of Lawrence Wong, the newly appointed prime minister.
The party’s performance in 2020, which included just over 60% of the vote, was among its weakest results since independence in 1965, when it seceded from Malaysia.
Wong, who took office last year, campaigned on promises of continuity and new leadership in an area with the highest housing shortages and rising living costs.
The WP, the most credible opposition party in Singapore, won 26 seats in a city-state election and is projected to hold those 10 for the duration. This is unprecedented for any opposition party.
Analysts believe that a change in political sentiment, particularly among younger voters, is being felt even as the PAP’s rule is in effect, but the WP’s ability to maintain or slightly increase its share, in particular, suggests this.
Wong, 52, who succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, the son of Singapore’s founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, in the country’s first national test, was a candidate for the position.
Only three of the contests were close and within the margin of error, which indicated that the PAP’s wins in many races were significant.
According to Mustafa Izzuddin, adjunct senior lecturer at the National University of Singapore, “It’s not just the status quo; it’s also the margin of victory in each of the constituencies,” the numbers are “quite remarkable,” according to Izzuddin.
That “certainly points to a healthy and strong mandate for the prime minister,” Izzuddin continued.
Opposition parties struggle with limited coverage and funding while the PAP, in place since 1965, still enjoys a large institutional reach and resources.
