Top Flight Preview alongside Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Good morning to another Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage hub, highlighting the day's key soccer action. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action plus FA Cup second round drama completes the lineup. As always share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite was absent in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.
Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host West Ham in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Other notable outcomes included:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's FA Cup schedule 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 three distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures include:
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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Fan opinion seems divided:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, 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 pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day 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 Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off 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 these matches will be rescheduled.
