Top Flight Buildup alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Developments plus More
Preamble
Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive football live hub, highlighting today's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he was absent in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other major top-flight story saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.
Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls welcome West Ham in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
There seems to be three separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, today's schedule 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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?
Fan opinion seems divided:
“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 chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier fixtures were called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted 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 paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.
