Premier League Build-up alongside FA Cup Second Round Latest News and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Morning everyone on this Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage center, focusing on today's key soccer fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning 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 significant Premier League development was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the top of the table.
Outside English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls welcome West Ham in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Other notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.
Today's 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
It appears three distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures 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)
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 the Liverpool forward's comments continues. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Fan opinion appears split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, 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.”
“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid 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 another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.
- 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 confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface 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.
