Premier League Build-up and FA Cup Second Round Updates and More
Opening Thoughts
Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive football live center, highlighting today's key football fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite was absent in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major Premier League story was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the top of the table.
Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.
Today's FA Cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday'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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?
Views from supporters appears split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have 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? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could 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 called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.
