Premier League Build-up and Football Association Cup Second Round Updates and Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Hello and welcome on this weekend day. This is your all-in-one football live center, centering on the day's major football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action and cup second round excitement completes the lineup. Feel free to get in touch telling us your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite did not play in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt 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,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League story was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.
Away from English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the arrival of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition round two provided lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable results included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's FA Cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
There seems to be a trio of separate mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight and domestic 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)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The fallout 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 club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Fan opinion appears divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry 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.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.
- 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 fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.
There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.