Top Flight Preview and FA Cup Round Two Updates plus More
Introduction
Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. This is your all-in-one football coverage hub, highlighting today's major football action. England's top division offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action plus FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite was absent in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.
Away from English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host West Ham in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno. 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 year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their latest travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition round two delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.
Additional standout results featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.
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 a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from 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)
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 explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters appears split:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, 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 following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.
