Premier League Preview and Football Association Cup Second Round Developments plus More
Introduction
Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. This is your comprehensive football live hub, highlighting the day's key soccer fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action plus FA Cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite did not play in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant top-flight development was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the top of the table.
Outside the English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round provided lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Additional notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's cup action includes:
- 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 distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today's fixtures 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 reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. There are two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Views from supporters seems split:
“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we 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.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of second-tier fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.
