Top Flight Preview and Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News plus More
Preamble
Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one football coverage center, centering on today's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games and cup round two drama completes the schedule. Feel free to share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following the action. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines despite did not play in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt 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,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the table.
Outside English football, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round delivered lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Additional standout results included:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's FA Cup schedule features:
- 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 three separate battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, today'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 fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Fan opinion appears divided:
“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 legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid 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 move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. 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 playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.