Top Flight Preview alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News plus Additional Coverage
Introduction
Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on the day's major football fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action plus cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to get in touch and let us know how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight even though he was absent in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.
“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 time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major Premier League development was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the top of the standings.
Outside the English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two delivered lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's FA Cup action features:
- 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 a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, today's fixtures feature:
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 the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters appears split:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.