Top Flight Preview alongside FA Cup Second Round Developments and Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Good morning to another weekend morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, centering on the day's major football action. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action plus cup second round drama completes the schedule. As always share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the season.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other significant top-flight development saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.
Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup round two delivered lots of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.
Other standout outcomes included:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears three separate battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes 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 scrap to avoid the drop probably involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, today's schedule include:
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)
Around the Continent:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters seems divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, 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 take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter 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 field unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.