Top Flight Preview and FA Cup Second Round Developments plus Additional Coverage
Preamble
Morning everyone on this weekend day. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage center, highlighting today's key soccer fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and FA Cup second round drama completes the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”
The other significant top-flight story was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the standings.
Away from the English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
Brighton host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Other notable results included:
- Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually 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
It appears three distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.
- Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up likely involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today's schedule feature:
Women's Top Flight: (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 Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?
Fan opinion seems split:
“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Matches Abandoned
Two second-tier fixtures were called off yesterday.
- The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter 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. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.
