Top Flight Buildup and Football Association Cup Second Round Developments and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Good morning to another Sunday day. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage center, centering on today's major soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games and cup second round drama completes the lineup. As always send us your views and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the spotlight despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning 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, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major Premier League story was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the table.
Away from the English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout outcomes included:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- 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 developing in this season's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up likely involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday'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 reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Fan opinion seems divided:
“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next 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 accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.