Premier League Build-up and FA Cup Second Round Latest News and Additional Coverage
Preamble
Morning everyone to another weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage hub, highlighting the day's key football action. England's top division offers intriguing contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League action plus FA Cup round two excitement completes the schedule. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major Premier League development was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Outside English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's 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 away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Additional notable results included:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early 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 top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight and domestic 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 comments continues. There are two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
Views from supporters appears split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier fixtures were called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.