Premier League Preview alongside FA Cup Second Round Developments and Additional Coverage
Opening Thoughts
Good morning to another Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one football live center, highlighting the day's key football action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action and FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor 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, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League development saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi BuendĂa's winning strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the standings.
Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over 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 league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup second round provided plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Additional notable results featured:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's cup schedule features:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early 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 forming in this campaign's Premier League.
- The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule 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 fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?
Fan opinion appears split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, 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.”
“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
A pair of Championship matches were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away 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 occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.