Premier League Build-up alongside FA Cup Round Two Updates plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Good morning to another Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on today's major soccer action. England's top division offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games and FA Cup second round excitement completes the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight even though he was absent in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight 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. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major top-flight story was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano BuendĂa's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the summit of the table.
Away from English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears a trio of separate mini-leagues forming 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 section contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today's schedule 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)
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 rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
Views from supporters appears 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. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter died 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 field unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.