Premier League Build-up alongside Football Association Cup Second Round Updates and Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Morning everyone on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive matchday live hub, highlighting the day's key football fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action and cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. As always get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he did not play in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the team's disappointing start 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 career. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other major Premier League development was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the standings.
Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time ever.
Other standout results featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's FA Cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- 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 separate battlegroups forming in this season's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule 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)
European Football:
- 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 continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?
Views from supporters appears divided:
“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. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of Championship matches were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.