Premier League Build-up alongside Football Association Cup Second Round Updates plus Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Good morning on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive football live hub, centering on today's major soccer fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games plus FA Cup second round drama completes the schedule. We encourage get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight despite did not play in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the team's poor beginning to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat 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 am extremely disappointed.”
The other major top-flight development was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the table.
Away from English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Additional notable results included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's 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
There seems to be three separate mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today'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)
European Football:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Fan opinion appears split:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we pause 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? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier matches were called off 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 announced the supporter passed away 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.
