Premier League Preview and FA Cup Second Round Latest News and More
Opening Thoughts
Morning everyone to another Sunday day. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, highlighting the day's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and cup round two excitement completes the schedule. As always share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following the action. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight even though he was absent in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major top-flight story saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, combined with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close battle at the summit of the table.
Away from English football, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time ever.
Additional standout results featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears three distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and domestic 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)
European Football:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
Views from supporters appears 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 legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away 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 unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.