Top Flight Buildup and FA Cup Round Two Developments and More
Preamble
Morning everyone on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one football live hub, focusing on today's key football action. England's top division offers intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games plus FA Cup round two drama completes the lineup. Feel free to get in touch and let us know how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other significant top-flight development saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.
Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round provided lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.
Additional standout outcomes included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's cup action features:
- 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 mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures feature:
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 reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?
Views from supporters appears split:
“United fan here. 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 legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should pause 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 the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.
