Top Flight Buildup and Football Association Cup Second Round Developments and More
Introduction
Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage hub, centering on today's major football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and FA Cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to send us your views telling us your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he was absent in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the season.
“I can’t believe … 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 career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another significant top-flight development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.
Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the appointment of manager Nuno. 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 rematch of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. 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.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition round two delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.
Additional notable results included:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures feature:
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)
European Football:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
The Salah Debate Continues
The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?
Fan opinion appears split:
“United fan here. 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 legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should 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.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton and Pompey 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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.