Top Flight Preview alongside FA Cup Second Round Updates and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on today's major football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games and cup second round excitement completes the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major Premier League development was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the table.
Away from the English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton welcome West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Other standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be a trio of distinct battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday'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)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Views from supporters appears divided:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed 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 – made the field unsuitable.
There is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.
