Top Flight Build-up and FA Cup Round Two Developments and More
Introduction
Morning everyone on this Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live center, focusing on the day's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and FA Cup round two 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.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League story was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi BuendĂa's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the standings.
Outside the English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno EspĂrito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.
Other standout results included:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears a trio of separate battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes 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 probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, today's schedule feature:
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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Fan opinion appears divided:
“United fan here. If memory serves, 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.”
“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. 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 pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.