Premier League Preview and FA Cup Round Two Updates plus Additional Coverage
Introduction
Morning everyone to another weekend day. This is your all-in-one football live center, centering on today's major soccer action. The Premier League offers intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action plus cup round two excitement completes the schedule. We encourage get in touch telling us how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an stunning attack on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing start to the season.
“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 am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the summit of the table.
Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the appointment 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 repeat of last season's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup action features:
- 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 distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will 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 appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, today's fixtures include:
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)
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 Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters seems divided:
“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers'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 – made the field unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.
