Preamble
Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live center, focusing on the day's key football action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games plus cup second round excitement completes the lineup. As always get in touch telling us your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the season.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”
The other significant Premier League story saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, combined with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the top of the standings.
Away from English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host West Ham in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided lots of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Other notable outcomes included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring 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
The Premier League's Three Tiers
It appears three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.
Other Matches Today
Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, today's fixtures 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)
European Football:
- Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
- Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)
The Salah Debate Continues
The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
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. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten 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 bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface 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 rescheduled.
