Top Flight Buildup and Football Association Cup Round Two Updates plus More
Preamble
Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage hub, highlighting the day's key football action. England's top division offers intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action plus FA Cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. As always send us your views telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight despite did not play in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” following being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major top-flight story was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the table.
Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition second round delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.
Other notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
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
It appears a trio of separate mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up likely involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's schedule 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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters appears split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked 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 relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of Championship matches were called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.