Top Flight Buildup and Football Association Cup Round Two Updates plus More
Opening Thoughts
Good morning to another Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live center, centering on the day's key soccer fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League action plus cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to get in touch telling us your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League development was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Away from the English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Other standout results included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's FA Cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be a trio of separate mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule 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 comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Views from supporters appears divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn'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 unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.
