Premier League Build-up and Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News and More
Opening Thoughts
Hello and welcome to another Sunday day. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage hub, centering on today's major football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action and cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other major top-flight story saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton host the Hammers for an afternoon start. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Additional notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's FA Cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
There seems to be a trio of distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today's fixtures include:
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. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
Fan opinion appears split:
“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
Two Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed 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.
There is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.
