Top Flight Buildup alongside Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Morning everyone to another Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive football live hub, centering on the day's major football action. The Premier League offers intriguing contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games plus cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. As always share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the team's poor start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League development was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the top of the table.
Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host West Ham for an afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup round two delivered lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Additional standout outcomes included:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's cup action features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
There seems to be a trio of distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today's fixtures feature:
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 Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion appears split:
“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA 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 have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.