Top Flight Preview and FA Cup Second Round Updates and Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage center, highlighting today's major soccer action. The Premier League presents intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action plus cup round two excitement completes the schedule. We encourage share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major Premier League development was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition round two delivered lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Additional notable results featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears a trio of distinct battlegroups forming in this season's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule 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)
Around the Continent:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
The Salah Debate Continues
The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?
Views from supporters seems split:
“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 legend of the club.”
“Can we 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.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of Championship matches were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.