Premier League Buildup alongside Football Association Cup Second Round Updates and Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on today's major football action. England's top division offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action plus cup second round excitement completes the schedule. As always send us your views telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant top-flight development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the summit of the table.
Away from English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the arrival of head coach Nuno. 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 aiming for a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two delivered lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Other notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today'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 a trio of distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and domestic 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 the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?
Fan opinion appears divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier fixtures were called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.
