Premier League Buildup and FA Cup Second Round Updates and Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one football live center, focusing on the day's key football action. The Premier League offers intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action and cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the top of the standings.
Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time ever.
Other notable results featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.
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
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be three separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Outside 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)
Around the Continent:
- 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. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters seems split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, 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 pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of second-tier fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic 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'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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.