Premier League Build-up alongside FA Cup Round Two Updates plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Good morning on this Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive football live center, focusing on the day's major football action. The Premier League offers intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action plus FA Cup second round excitement completes the lineup. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the season.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant top-flight story saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the top of the standings.
Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host West Ham in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the arrival of manager Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two delivered lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Other notable results featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's FA Cup schedule features:
- 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 mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today's fixtures feature:
Women's Super League (WSL): (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 rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Views from supporters appears divided:
“United fan here. 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 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.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests 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 Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.