Premier League Build-up and Football Association Cup Second Round Developments and More
Introduction
Hello and welcome to another weekend day. This is your comprehensive football live hub, centering on today's key football action. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action plus FA Cup second round drama rounds out the lineup. Feel free to get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major Premier League development saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Away from the English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host West Ham in a 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight 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 second round delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Additional standout outcomes included:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears three separate battlegroups forming in this campaign's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Will any string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures 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)
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 rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Views from supporters seems split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. 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 pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier fixtures 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 announced the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers'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.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.