Top Flight Preview alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News plus More
Preamble
Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive matchday live hub, focusing on the day's major football action. England's top division presents fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games plus cup round two excitement completes the schedule. We encourage get in touch telling us how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he did not play in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him âunder the busâ following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the season.
âI canât believe ⊠Iâm sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,â the Egyptian stated. âThe third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. Iâm very, very disappointed.â
Another significant Premier League story was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano BuendĂa's winning strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the table.
Outside the English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton host West Ham for an afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Additional standout results featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton â a league above them â 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.
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 forming in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures feature:
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)
European Football:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?
Views from supporters appears split:
âAs a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now heâs the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.â
âPerhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.â
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain â for the second occasion this season at the ground â made the pitch unsuitable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.