Top Flight Build-up and FA Cup Second Round Latest News and Additional Coverage
Preamble
Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one football live hub, centering on the day's key football fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games plus cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major top-flight story saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.
Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Other standout results featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
There seems to be a trio of distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures 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)
Around the Continent:
- 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 rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Fan opinion appears split:
“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died 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 occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.