Premier League Build-up and FA Cup Second Round Updates plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Morning everyone on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on today's key soccer action. England's top division offers fascinating contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action and FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. Feel free to get in touch telling us your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite was absent in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an stunning attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League story was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.
Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup second round provided plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable outcomes included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today'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)
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 explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
Fan opinion appears split:
“United fan here. 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 take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
Two Championship matches were called off 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 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 – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.