Top Flight Build-up alongside FA Cup Second Round Updates plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Morning everyone on this Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage hub, highlighting the day's major soccer action. England's top division presents fascinating contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games plus cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant top-flight development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close race at the top of the table.
Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton host the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Additional notable results featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- 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 separate mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule include:
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 fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters appears divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid 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? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages 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 pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.
There is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.
