Premier League Build-up and FA Cup Round Two Developments and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Good morning on this weekend morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, centering on the day's major soccer action. England's top division offers intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action and cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. As always get in touch telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major top-flight story was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the table.
Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host West Ham in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round provided plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Other standout results included:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears three distinct battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, today's fixtures feature:
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)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?
Fan opinion seems split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two Championship matches were called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.