Top Flight Build-up and Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News and More
Introduction
Morning everyone on this Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on the day's major football fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action and cup second round drama rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major top-flight development was Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi BuendĂa's decisive strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.
Outside the English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno. 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. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup second round provided lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.
Other notable outcomes included:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday'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 three separate battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up likely involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, today'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)
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 explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion appears divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed 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. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.