Premier League Buildup alongside Football Association Cup Second Round Updates and More
Preamble
Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage center, centering on today's key football action. The Premier League presents intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games plus FA Cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. We encourage get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League development was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.
Outside English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.
Sunday's FA Cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today's schedule feature:
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)
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 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 bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters seems split:
“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn'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 – made the field unsuitable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.