Top Flight Buildup and Football Association Cup Round Two Developments plus More
Opening Thoughts
Good morning to another Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, highlighting today's major soccer fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action plus FA Cup second round excitement completes the schedule. As always send us your views telling us your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he did not play in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major top-flight story was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.
Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win 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 provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup action 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 three distinct battlegroups forming in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Outside the English top flight and domestic 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)
Around the Continent:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
The Salah Debate Continues
The fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. There are two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?
Fan opinion appears split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently 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 damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.
