Top Flight Buildup and Football Association Cup Round Two Updates and More
Introduction
Hello and welcome to another Sunday day. This is your all-in-one football live center, centering on today's key soccer action. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games plus FA Cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third straight game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major top-flight story was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano BuendĂa's decisive strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.
Outside English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the arrival of head coach Nuno EspĂrito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Other standout results included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's FA Cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- 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 season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, today'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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Fan opinion seems divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, 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 take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the fan died 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 occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.