Premier League Build-up and Football Association Cup Second Round Developments and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Hello and welcome to another weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live center, highlighting the day's key football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games plus cup round two excitement completes the lineup. Feel free to get in touch and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another major Premier League development saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. That result, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.
Outside English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.
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 defeated three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round delivered lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears a trio of separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday'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)
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 Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
Views from supporters seems split:
“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 club legend.”
“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused 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 stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.