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‘Is this Alan or Garth Crooks?’ – Shearer picks bonkers Prem team of the week with two at the back and Merino as striker

FANS have been left baffled by Alan Shearer’s bonkers Premier League team of the week.

The Newcastle United legend picked his eleven most impressive players from match week 25.

Alan Shearer, Amazon Prime pundit and former footballer.
Getty
Alan Shearer has left fans baffled with his team of the week picks[/caption]
Garth Crooks, master of ceremonies.
PA:Empics Sport
Fans have compared the team to the previous picks made by Garth Crooks[/caption]
Djed Spence of Tottenham Hotspur in a soccer uniform.
Getty
Djed Spence was one of two defenders to be picked[/caption]
Mikel Merino of Arsenal celebrating a goal.
Alamy
Shearer opted to choose Mikel Merino as a striker[/caption]

Shearer, 54, opted to pick a unique formation with just two defenders, Brighton’s Adam Webster and Tottenham’s Djed Spence.

They were positioned behind two central midfielders in Bournemouth goalscorer Ryan Christie and Manchester City’s Nico Gonzalez.

The record Prem goalscorer then selected six attacking players, including Seagulls duo Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Everton‘s Carlos Alcaraz.

They were positioned behind another trio made up of Arsenal‘s Mikel Merino, Ethan Nwaneri and City ace Omar Marmoush.

Fans were left baffled by the attacking look of the team.

Many compared it to the teams that Garth Crooks would famously pick when he would do the job for the BBC.

The retired footballer became a cult figure for regularly picking players out of position in order to fit them into a team.

One posted: “Garth’s legacy lives on.”

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A second wrote: “Is this really Alan or Garth Crooks?”

A third commented: “Bring back Garth.”

Alex Palmer of Ipswich Town reacts after a soccer match.
Reuters
Alex Palmer was in the team after impressing for Ipswich Town[/caption]
Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck celebrating a goal.
Brighton goalscorers Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh both made the team
Getty
Alan Shearer's Premier League Team of the Week MW25 lineup.

A fourth said: “Wow, this is very interesting, just two defenders.”

Another added: “I don’t understand this formation.”

The recent match week saw Manchester United lose to Spurs and both title contenders Liverpool and Arsenal win.

A supercomputer has provided its prediction for the final Premier League table following the results.

Who are these famous footballers?

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I bought a sofa off Temu and was amazed when I unpacked it – it was under £500 and I didn’t have to assemble it either

IT’S known for its bargain basement prices and is the perfect place to stock up on cheap home items or cute gifts.

But Temu might not be your first port of call if you’re looking for a new sofa.

Woman reviewing a Temu couch.
Summer decided to try her luck by ordering a sofa off Temu for £476
Tiktok/@summerklingbeil
Woman unboxing a new sofa.
Tiktok/@summerklingbeil
She was stunned when she took it out of the packaging and started puffing it up[/caption]
Beige corduroy sectional sofa with pillows.
Summer also showed what the sofa looked like when it was all set up and ready to use
Tiktok/@summerklingbeil

However, that’s exactly what Summer did – taking a big risk and ordering a cream cord couch on the cut-price website.

She then took to TikTok to show herself opening the packages, as well as what it looked like when she had it all set up.

She kicked off the video by posing in front of the two boxes which contained the sofa, as she said: “So I bought a couch off Temu…”

Summer then started to unpack the furniture, screaming excitedly as she saw it all rolled up inside.

Once it was out of the box, Summer was able to open the plastic packaging it came in – which let the air in and caused the sofa to expand to its actual size.

She couldn’t hide her amazement as she watched the three-seater sofa puff up, after which she and her boyfriend started whacking the cushions to try and fluff it up.

After opening the first box, Summer went on to the second – releasing the chaise longue part of the sofa.

She then shared an update 96 hours later, with the sofa in its proper place and accessorised with throws and cushions in a cute sage green colour.

Summer returned to the social media site a few days later to share an update on the sofa, as she revealed she’d paid $600 (£476) for it, and it arrived in just three days.

She also said it’s as supportive as she wants it to be, it bounces back after you sit on it and doesn’t smell “toxic”.

She added that it “fits like 6 people” and is “soooo comfy”.

“You are one brave woman to order it!” one person joked in the comments on the video, which has had more than 20 million views and a million likes.

“But wow, it turned out pretty great! I might need my own Temu boneless couch!”

“I bought the same one and I loveeee it,” another added.

“Wait a damn minute!!! Temu couch is (fire),” a third insisted.

To which Summer replied: “We’ve been sleeping on Temu!”

Why is Temu so cheap?

TEMU exploded onto the scene in late 2022, with people all over social media raving about the low prices.

The company is a Chinese-owned digital marketplace – essentially an online shopping app where people are connected to the retailer directly while the app takes care of the shipping element. 

The frenzy over the app is not completely unfounded either as it offers a wide variety of products, including fashionmake-up, electronics and furniture. 

According to a report from the US House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Temu takes advantage of a trade loophole that allows the company to ship duty-free goods directly to the US. 

The loophole is called the de minimis exception and it means they can ship goods valued up to $800 (£643) to the US without it being inspected or taxed by US customs. 

Temu connects customers directly to manufacturers and only manages how the items are sent to customers. 

It means Chinese vendors can essentially sell their products directly to customers and ship it without building a network of warehouses across the globe. 

By doing this, they cut down on huge costs and ensure the product itself isn’t marked up extra.

While many of the products seen on the Temu app are from brands with extensive, original collections, many more are dupes of designer brands

“Looks good but it’s not going to last very long,” someone else wrote.

“The only thing I’d hate is it doesn’t have legs to lift it up off the floor,” another sighed.

“I always heard it can cause mould issues if it’s right on the floor like that.”

“How TF did they compress a couch!?” someone else hilariously wondered.

“I thought that was gonna be like a toy size couch!”

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Simba Kids Mattress review: “It’s like sleeping in mummy and daddy’s bed!”

Girl sleeping on a mattress with a stuffed elephant.
Aaron Dowler

SIMBA’S adult mattresses have consistently garnered great ratings from us at Sun Shopping.

However, can its kids’ mattress achieve the same praise?

Girl sleeping on a mattress with a stuffed elephant.
Aaron Dowler
We tested out the Simba Kids Mattress[/caption]

Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349 from Simba

With overwhelmingly positive reviews, including a 4.9/5 rating from over 1,800 buyers, it appears well-loved by parents and children alike.

I — or rather, my little sister — have put it to the test to find out.

Pros:

  • Well packaged
  • Slim while still feeling dense and supportive
  • Removable washable cover

Cons:

  • So slim that some sheets will be too large
  • Feels more like a super luxury mattress topper

Ratings:

  • Comfort: 7/10
  • Support: 10/10
  • Cooling technology: 8/10
  • Design: 8/10
  • Value: 8/10
  • Overall rating: 8/10

How we tested the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress

Person unboxing a Simba kids mattress.
Aaron Dowler
I’m a seasoned mattress reviewer, but had to enlist my 11-year old sister for this review[/caption]

Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349 from Simba

As a self-proclaimed prince of sleep, I am well-versed in mattress testing, but this occasion called for a more youthful tester — so I had my 11-year-old sister put the Simba Kids Mattress to the test.

The girl LOVES to sleep and we deemed her the perfect candidate for the job.

She’s small for her age and is also hypermobile, so sometimes her joints and ligaments can get a little stressed out, making rest extremely important for her.

After the first few days of testing, a newsworthy quote from her was “It’s like sleeping in mummy and daddy’s bed”.

Our parents sleep on a £3,000 Tempur mattress, so we were off to a flying start.

Simba Hybrid Kid’s Mattress review: Quickfire Q&A

Who is it designed for? “Sleepers aged three and up”, according to Simba. For children under three, the brand has a separate Hybrid Cot Bed Mattress.

How much is the Simba Kids Mattress? £349 — or, in other words, a lot for a child’s mattress. However, you could make the argument that it represents a long-term investment in a child’s sleep quality during crucial developmental years.

What we loved: Its slim profile is a standout feature, making it ideal for bunk beds or compact frames. The removable and washable cover is a practical touch, catering to the inevitability of spills and messes.

What we didn’t: The mattress is notably slim, which initially raised concerns about its comfort and durability, though it proved supportive once fully inflated. For lighter children, the firmness might feel slightly hard at first, though this could improve with regular use.

Our verdict: Overall, the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress is a strong contender for families prioritising quality sleep, though its slim design and price may not suit everyone.

Simba Kid’s Mattress review: The Nitty Gritty

First impressions

Simba kids mattress box.
Aaron Dowler
The mattress arrived neatly packed and on-time[/caption]

Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349 from Simba

Boring stuff first — the Simba Kids Hybrid Mattress arrived on time, within the one-hour delivery window.

Simba packed it well in a recyclable cardboard box. It’s also vacuum-sealed, making the box surprisingly easy to carry. I was able to drag it to the second floor of the house with little effort.

Once I took the mattress out of the plastic wrapper, it started rising, though it rose slower than other Simba mattresses we have tried.

Simba states that it takes 6 hours to fully reflate and will be in its final shape after 72 hours.

My first impressions were tainted with a slight worry — this mattress is very slim. It looks more like a luxury mattress topper.

I started to doubt how comfortable a mattress could be when it’s so thin.

Rolled-up mattress in plastic packaging.
Aaron Dowler
I was slightly concerned at how slim the mattress is, even when fully inflated[/caption]

It reached full depth just before bedtime, which is 7 to 8 hours after opening. Not much else happened once we got to the 72-hour mark other than the sides plumping out a bit.

Once fully inflated, it was still remarkably slim when compared to its Hybrid Mattress counterpart. This would be a great option if you have a bunk bed or kids bed frame that isn’t shallow.

Does it deliver?

Simba Kids mattress label.
Aaron Dowler
“It’s like sinking into a cloud”[/caption]

Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349 from Simba

“It’s like sinking into a cloud,” was the review after the first sleep.

My parents also had to drag her out of bed that morning, and if that’s not a vote of confidence then I don’t know what is.

“It’s like sinking into a cloud,” was the review after the first sleep. My parents also had to drag her out of bed that morning, and if that’s not a vote of confidence then I don’t know what is.

I also tested it out for myself with a 20-minute power nap, as Simba claims that because of its standard single size, it can be used by adults too.

It felt a bit firmer than my Simba Hybrid mattress, and not as luxurious as my Simba APEX mattress. Still, it was a dream to sleep on. 

My sister also said that it was quite firm. I don’t think this would be the case if she was a bit heavier, but as she is so slight, she doesn’t have a lot of ‘sinking power’.

With some regular use and growth, I think this issue will even out.

My sister takes after me and loves to snack, making the removable and washable cover is very helpful — it helps with Capri Sun spills and biscuit messes.

The cover fits in a standard-size drum, too, meaning no sad visits to the local deserted launderette.

Features and design

  • Single: W90 L190 D16 (cm)
  • Country of origin: United Kingdom
  • 500g knitted cover
  • CertiPUR® foam support base
  • Open structure CertiPUR® foam with heat diffusing graphite for 1000gM (Sheet)
  • Titanium alloy Aerocoil® pocket Springs – 970 springs, 1.8mm thick

What parents are saying about the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress

With an average rating of 4.9/5 and 1803 reviews, people have got a lot to say about the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress.

My parent’s primary concerns when choosing a mattress were muscle support and comfort.

Her (and my) mum said: “My daughter is hyper-mobile and has dance classes several times per week which is why we wanted to ensure that she really got the rest that she needed — we wanted a mattress that was supportive on her aching muscles”.

Another parent, writing on the Simba website, said: “As parents of a toddler, the inevitable sleepless nights have impacted everyone’s sleep. So we invested in Simba mattresses so that no matter which bed we sleep in, our comfort is never compromised“.

Another wrote: “My 9-year-old daughter got this mattress and absolutely loves it! When I asked her to describe how it felt she simply said “AMAZING.””

How much is the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress?

The Simba Hybrid Kids mattress is £349 which includes free next-day delivery.

Finance options with DivideBuy and Splitit are also available for 3, 6, and 9 months with 0% APR (subject to credit terms).

Where to buy the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress

You can currently buy the Simba Hybrid Kids Mattress directly from the Simba website.

It isn’t available at any other retailers.

Simba Kids Mattress alternatives

Unsurprisingly there’s a wealth of options out there when it comes to kids’ mattresses.

One of Simba’s primary competitors, Nectar, came out with a kids’ mattress late last year, and while we’ve not yet tried it ourselves, initial reviews have been good. It’s also slightly cheaper than Simba’s, at £265.

A sub-£200 option is the Silentnight Healthy Growth range, which consistently gets good reviews from parents.

Jay-Be is also renowned for its kids’ mattresses and has a wide selection available at Bensons for Beds.

Simba Kids Mattress: The Verdict

The final say… should you splash your cash with Simba?

In our humble opinion, it’s a no-brainer. I am yet to have a bad experience with a Simba mattress and I’ve tried a few in my time, from the entry-level Hybrid right through to the top-of-the-range APEX

A slimmer bed frame or using it on bunk beds is great because of its slimline nature. 

One 11-year-old girl feels very happy and well-rested.

  • Hybrid Kids Mattress, £349 from Simbabuy here

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