Top Flight Buildup and FA Cup Second Round Latest News plus Additional Coverage
Introduction
Morning everyone on this Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live center, centering on today's major soccer fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another major top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano BuendĂa's winning goal. That result, combined with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.
Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno EspĂrito Santo. 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 FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Other notable outcomes included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT 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 season's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures 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)
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 Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters seems split:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club 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 following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.