Premier League Build-up and Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News plus More
Preamble
Hello and welcome to another weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive football live hub, highlighting today's major football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League action and FA Cup second round drama completes the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines despite was absent in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another major Premier League development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup second round delivered lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results included:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's cup action 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
There seems to be three distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and domestic 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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?
Views from supporters appears 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. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were called off on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.