Top Flight Preview alongside FA Cup Second Round Latest News and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Good morning to another Sunday day. This is your comprehensive football live center, highlighting today's major soccer fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games plus FA Cup second round drama rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines despite did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League story was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the top of the table.
Away from English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the appointment of head coach 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 against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Other standout results featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's FA Cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears three separate mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely involves 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 Premier League and FA 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)
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 continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion seems split:
“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we take a moment to feel sorry 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 the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.