Top Flight Build-up and Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News plus More
Introduction
Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive football live center, focusing on the day's major football fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games plus FA Cup round two drama completes the lineup. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.
Major Stories from Saturday
Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines even though he was absent in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an stunning attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him âto the wolvesâ following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
âIt's unbelievable ⊠Iâm sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,â the Egyptian stated. âThis is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. Iâm very, very disappointed.â
The other significant Premier League development was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano BuendĂa's winning strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.
Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.
Today's Premier League Fixtures
The Seagulls host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time ever.
Additional standout outcomes featured:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers â a division above them â 4-0.
- Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
- Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.
Today's cup action features:
- 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 a trio of separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
- The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
- The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.
Elsewhere in Football
Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, today'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)
Around the Continent:
- 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 comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?
Views from supporters seems divided:
âAs a Manchester United supporter. If Iâm not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now heâs chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.â
âPerhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.â
The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests 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 move to Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.
- The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain â for the second occasion this season at the ground â made the pitch unplayable.
There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.