Top Flight Build-up and FA Cup Round Two Updates plus Additional Coverage
Introduction
Hello and welcome on this weekend day. This is your comprehensive football live center, centering on today's key soccer action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and cup second round drama completes the lineup. As always get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing start to the season.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the table.
Away from English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton welcome West Ham in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable results featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's FA Cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears three distinct battlegroups forming in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly 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 European places. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.
Other Matches Today
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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Views from supporters appears 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. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.