Top Flight Preview alongside Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage hub, focusing on today's major football fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action and FA Cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to send us your views telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the season.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League development was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the top of the table.
Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton welcome the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two delivered lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Additional notable results featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup action 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 three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably 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 fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today's schedule include:
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)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion seems divided:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, 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 pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute 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 playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.