Top Flight Preview alongside FA Cup Round Two Updates and More
Opening Thoughts
Good morning on this Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive football live hub, centering on the day's major football action. England's top division presents fascinating matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League action plus FA Cup round two drama completes the schedule. As always send us your views and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League story saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the summit of the standings.
Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host West Ham for an afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive 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 season's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Other notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears three distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight 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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters 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. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“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.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.