Top Flight Build-up and FA Cup Second Round Developments plus Additional Coverage

Preamble

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one football live hub, highlighting the day's major football action. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games plus cup second round drama completes the lineup. We encourage send us your views and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. 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 reportedly said. “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 was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

Away from English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the appointment of head coach 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 FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other notable results featured:

  • Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
  • Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
  • Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup action includes:

  • 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 forming in this campaign's Premier League.

  1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
  2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
  3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and domestic 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)

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 Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

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. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we take a moment 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 Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.

  • The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan died in hospital.
  • Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.

Andrea Ashley
Andrea Ashley

A seasoned business strategist and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in driving organizational success.