Top Flight Preview and Football Association Cup Second Round Updates plus More
Introduction
Morning everyone to another weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage hub, highlighting today's key soccer action. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games and cup round two drama completes the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the campaign.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
Another significant top-flight story saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the top of the table.
Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two provided lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's FA Cup schedule features:
- 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
There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight and domestic 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)
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 Mohamed Salah's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss 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. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably 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 relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off yesterday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan died in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.
