Top Flight Build-up and FA Cup Round Two Developments plus Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Morning everyone on this Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage center, highlighting the day's major football action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major Premier League story saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close battle at the summit of the table.
Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host West Ham in a 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Other standout outcomes included:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
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)
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 Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters appears divided:
“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 take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.
