Premier League Buildup and FA Cup Second Round Updates and More
Opening Thoughts
Good morning on this weekend morning. This is your comprehensive matchday live hub, highlighting the day's key football action. The Premier League offers intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action and cup round two drama completes the lineup. We encourage get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite did not play in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major Premier League development was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round provided plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Additional standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears three distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside 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)
Around the Continent:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star
The fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?
Fan opinion seems divided:
“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 club legend.”
“Can we take a moment 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 Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.