Premier League Buildup and Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News plus Additional Coverage
Introduction
Good morning to another Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive football coverage center, highlighting today's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage send us your views and let us know your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight despite did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other significant top-flight story was Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.
Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host the Hammers for an afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier 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 lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Other standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's FA Cup schedule includes:
- 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 distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday'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)
Around the Continent:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Views from supporters seems divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, 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 take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
Two Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter died 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 – made the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.
