Top Flight Build-up and Football Association Cup Second Round Updates and More
Opening Thoughts
Good morning to another weekend day. This is your comprehensive matchday live hub, centering on today's major football action. England's top division offers intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games plus FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. As always send us your views telling us your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other major Premier League development saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.
Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive 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 repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round provided plenty of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.
Other notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup action includes:
- 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
There seems to be a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today'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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
Fan opinion appears divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we pause 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? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.