Top Flight Buildup and FA Cup Second Round Latest News plus Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Good morning on this Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage hub, highlighting today's major football action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games plus cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the team's disappointing start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major Premier League development saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.
Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement 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 against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of drama yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Other standout results included:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- 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 developing in this season's Premier League.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly 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 top five. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight 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)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion seems split:
“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.”
“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. 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?
Matches Abandoned
Two Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- 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 announced the fan died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.
