Top Flight Preview and Football Association Cup Second Round Developments plus More
Preamble
Morning everyone on this weekend day. This is your comprehensive matchday live hub, focusing on the day's key soccer action. England's top division presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action and FA Cup second round drama completes the schedule. As always send us your views and let us know your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight even though he was absent in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close battle at the summit of the table.
Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Additional standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures 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 fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion appears divided:
“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of 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 confirmed the supporter 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 – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.
