Top Flight Build-up alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News plus Additional Coverage
Introduction
Good morning to another Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive football live center, focusing on the day's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action plus FA Cup second round drama completes the schedule. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite was absent in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah 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 major Premier League development was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the summit of the table.
Away from English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for 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
The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results included:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's FA Cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
There seems to be a trio of distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures 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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?
Views from supporters seems split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. 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 highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
- Blackburn'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 – made the pitch unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.