Top Flight Buildup alongside FA Cup Round Two Updates and More
Preamble
Morning everyone to another weekend day. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, highlighting today's major football fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League games plus cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another major top-flight story was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the summit of the standings.
Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement 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 their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable outcomes included:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- 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 developing in this season's Premier League.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, today's fixtures include:
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 explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a true club icon? Or is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters seems divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two Championship matches were called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan 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. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.
