Top Flight Preview alongside FA Cup Round Two Developments and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Hello and welcome on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, focusing on the day's major soccer action. England's top division offers intriguing matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup round two drama completes the schedule. We encourage get in touch telling us your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League development saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the table.
Outside English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch 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 second round delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional notable outcomes featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport on penalties.
- Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
There seems to be a trio of separate mini-leagues developing in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures feature:
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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion appears split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan 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 – made the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.
