Premier League Preview alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Updates and More
Preamble
Good morning to another weekend morning. This is your comprehensive matchday live hub, highlighting the day's key soccer action. England's top division offers fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. Feel free to share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching the action. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the team's poor start to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League development was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the standings.
Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Additional notable results featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's FA Cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears three distinct battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today'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)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true club icon? Or is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt 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. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.
