Top Flight Buildup alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Updates and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Hello and welcome to another Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live center, centering on today's key football action. The Premier League offers fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action and cup round two drama completes the lineup. We encourage send us your views and let us know your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the season.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major Premier League development was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.
Away from the English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome West Ham for an afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results included:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be a trio of distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule include:
Women's Top Flight: (All 12pm GMT unless stated)
- Leicester City v Manchester City
- London City Lionesses v Brighton & Hove Albion
- Manchester United v West Ham United
- Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa
- Chelsea v Everton (2.30pm GMT)
Around the Continent:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Fan opinion seems split:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.