Top Flight Buildup alongside FA Cup Round Two Updates and More
Introduction
Morning everyone to another Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage center, focusing on the day's key football action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and cup second round excitement completes the lineup. Feel free to send us your views and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.
Yesterday's Headlines
Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the starting lineup for the third straight game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning to the season.
“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League story saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.
Outside the English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls host West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.
Cup Action Continues
England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of drama yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.
Other standout results featured:
- Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.
Sunday's cup action includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears three separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
- The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule include:
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 fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?
Views from supporters seems split:
“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”
“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”
What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?
Matches Abandoned
A pair of second-tier matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.
