Top Flight Buildup and FA Cup Round Two Developments plus More
Opening Thoughts
Good morning on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one football coverage center, highlighting today's major football action. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League games and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another major top-flight story saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time ever.
Additional standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday'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
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears three separate mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures 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 explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Fan opinion appears divided:
“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.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy 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 relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute 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 paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.
