Top Flight Preview and Football Association Cup Second Round Updates plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Morning everyone on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, highlighting the day's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. Feel free to share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League story saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the top of the standings.
Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable results featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today'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)
European Football:
- 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 continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?
Views from supporters appears divided:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.