Top Flight Build-up alongside FA Cup Round Two Updates plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive football live center, focusing on the day's key soccer fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action and FA Cup second round excitement completes the lineup. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the season.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other significant top-flight story saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the summit of the table.
Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time ever.
Additional standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's FA Cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be a trio of distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, today'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)
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 Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?
Views from supporters appears split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry 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 burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan died 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 pitch unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.