Top Flight Preview and Football Association Cup Second Round Updates plus More
Opening Thoughts
Morning everyone to another Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on today's major football action. England's top division presents intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup second round excitement completes the schedule. We encourage get in touch and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite was absent in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League story saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the summit of the standings.
Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Additional notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, today'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)
European Football:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters seems divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently 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 move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.
