Top Flight Build-up and FA Cup Round Two Developments plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Hello and welcome on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live hub, focusing on the day's key football fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. As always send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other major top-flight development was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.
Outside English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable results included:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's cup action 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 three separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight 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)
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 Mohamed Salah's comments continues. There are two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?
Views from supporters seems divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA 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 have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of second-tier matches were called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan 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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.
