Top Flight Preview and FA Cup Round Two Developments plus More
Preamble
Good morning on this Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, highlighting today's key soccer fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing contests featuring 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 games plus FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines despite did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. 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,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major Premier League story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the summit of the table.
Outside English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the appointment of manager Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round delivered lots of drama yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time ever.
Other standout results included:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's cup schedule 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 a trio of distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today's fixtures 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)
Around the Continent:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion seems split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch 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 these matches will be rescheduled.