Top Flight Build-up and FA Cup Second Round Updates and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Morning everyone to another weekend day. This is your comprehensive football coverage center, centering on today's key soccer fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games and cup round two excitement completes the schedule. We encourage 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 grabbed the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, combined with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.
Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents to nil in their latest away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Additional notable results featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Sunday'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 a trio of separate battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule include:
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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
Fan opinion seems divided:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we 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 Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers'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 – rendered the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.
