Premier League Buildup and Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Good morning to another Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive football live center, focusing on the day's key football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action and cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major top-flight development saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, combined with City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.
Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the arrival of manager Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two delivered lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time ever.
Other standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be a trio of distinct battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures 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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary 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 chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten 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? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
- Blackburn'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 word yet on when these matches will be replayed.