Premier League Build-up and FA Cup Round Two Latest News and Additional Coverage
Preamble
Morning everyone to another weekend day. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage center, centering on today's key football fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action plus FA Cup second round drama completes the schedule. Feel free to send us your views telling us how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines despite did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed 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 reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.
Outside 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 showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition round two provided lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Other standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's FA Cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears three distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today's schedule include:
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)
Around the Continent:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?
Fan opinion appears split:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“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... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.
There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.
