Top Flight Preview alongside FA Cup Round Two Updates plus More
Opening Thoughts
Good morning on this weekend day. This is your all-in-one matchday live center, highlighting the day's major soccer action. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action plus cup second round drama completes the schedule. As always get in touch telling us how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight despite did not play in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another major Premier League story saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the table.
Outside English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 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 overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Other standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.
Today's FA Cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears a trio of separate mini-leagues developing in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Away from 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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?
Views from supporters 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 chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.
