Top Flight Buildup and Football Association Cup Second Round Updates and More
Preamble
Good morning on this Sunday day. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on the day's key football action. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games plus FA Cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite was absent in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other significant top-flight development was the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the top of the table.
Away from English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton welcome the Hammers in a afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the arrival of manager Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup round two delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.
Other standout results featured:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup schedule 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 top flight.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday'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)
The Salah Debate Continues
The fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?
Views from supporters seems divided:
“United fan here. 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 club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.
- The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the fan died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers'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 – rendered the pitch unsuitable.
There is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.
