Premier League Buildup alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News plus More
Preamble
Good morning on this weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live center, highlighting the day's major football action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games plus cup second round drama completes the schedule. Feel free to share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching the action. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another major Premier League story was Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup round two provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.
Additional notable outcomes included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's 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
It appears three separate battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Away from the Premier League and domestic 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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Views from supporters seems split:
“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, 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.”
“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.
