Top Flight Build-up alongside Football Association Cup Second Round Developments plus Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Hello and welcome to another weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live center, focusing on the day's major soccer fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action and cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League story was the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the table.
Away from the 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.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time ever.
Other notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's cup schedule features:
- 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
There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today's schedule 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)
Around the Continent:
- 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 continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Views from supporters seems split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' 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 must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of Championship matches were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers'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 pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.
