Premier League Preview alongside FA Cup Second Round Developments and Additional Coverage
Introduction
Hello and welcome to another Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage center, centering on today's key football action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. As always share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame 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 time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another major top-flight development was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
Brighton host West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their latest away fixtures.
The FA Cup Second Round
The FA Cup round two delivered lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.
Additional notable outcomes included:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
The Premier League's Three Tiers
There seems to be a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the top prize.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
- The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Away from the English top flight 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 continues. There are two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Fan opinion appears split:
“United fan here. 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 club legend.”
“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.
