Premier League Preview and FA Cup Second Round Updates and Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Hello and welcome to another weekend morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, highlighting the day's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action plus cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. Feel free to get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor 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 occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the table.
Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno. 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 FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.
Other notable results featured:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears three distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, today's schedule feature:
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)
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 comments continues. There are two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
Views from supporters appears 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 the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we pause to feel sorry 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? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey 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's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.
