Premier League Build-up and Football Association Cup Second Round Developments plus More
Preamble
Morning everyone on this weekend day. This is your comprehensive football live hub, highlighting today's key football action. England's top division presents fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage get in touch telling us your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League development saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the standings.
Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host the Hammers for an afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive 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 cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition round two delivered lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results included:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears a trio of distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, today's schedule feature:
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 fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?
Fan opinion appears split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think 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 move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan died in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.
