Seeds and twigs from the Sycamore Gap tree, devastated by vandalism in September, have begun showing promising growth at the National Trust’s Plant Conservation Centre. The tree, a 300-year-old landmark situated along Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland, was met with national dismay following its destruction. Conservationists at the centre are now utilising techniques such as grafting to cultivate replicas of the iconic tree, with the seeds now successfully germinating. The recovery effort, in collaboration with Northumberland National Park and Historic England, is a testament to preserving the tree’s legacy, with the saplings expected to be ready for planting in a year.

In the realm of football, a pivotal Premier League match is set to take place between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield. With Liverpool leading the league but City close behind and with a game in hand, this match is regarded as crucial in the title race. The fixture is anticipated to be a showcase of both teams’ attacking strengths, according to Football Focus experts Alex Scott, Shay Given, and Ellen White.

Arsenal has climbed to the top of the Premier League standings following a tense 2-1 victory over Brentford. The win was secured with a late header from Kai Havertz, marking his fourth consecutive goal in the league. Arsenal’s lead was initially established by Declan Rice before Brentford equalised due to a mistake by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Despite this, Arsenal managed to secure the win, placing them ahead of both Liverpool and Manchester City in the title race. This victory sets the stage for an intense competition between the top contenders as the season progresses.