Premier League Build-up and FA Cup Round Two Latest News plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Good morning on this weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one football live hub, centering on today's major football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League games and cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. As always share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite did not play in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other major Premier League story saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.
Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls welcome West Ham in a afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round provided lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.
Other standout results included:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's FA Cup schedule features:
- 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 distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight and FA 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)
European Football:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters seems 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.”
“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages 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. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.