Top Flight Buildup alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News and Additional Coverage
Preamble
Good morning to another weekend morning. This is your comprehensive football live center, highlighting today's major soccer fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action plus cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League story was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.
Away from English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host West Ham in a afternoon start. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the arrival of head coach Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable results included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's FA Cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be three separate mini-leagues forming in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will 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 Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday'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)
European Football:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?
Views from supporters seems divided:
“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. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
Two Championship fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.