Top Flight Build-up alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Updates and More
Opening Thoughts
Hello and welcome on this weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one football live center, highlighting the day's key football fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games plus cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight despite did not play in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other significant top-flight development saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the table.
Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition round two delivered lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.
Additional notable results featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today's schedule 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 the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. 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 Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion 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.”
“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.
