Top Flight Build-up alongside FA Cup Round Two Developments and More
Introduction
Hello and welcome to another Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, highlighting today's key football fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action plus FA Cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. We encourage send us your views telling us your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines even though he was absent in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League development saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the top of the table.
Outside the English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today'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 three distinct battlegroups forming in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and FA 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)
Around the Continent:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
The Salah Debate Continues
The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion seems split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA 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.”
“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests 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 move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier fixtures were called off yesterday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. 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 playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.
