Top Flight Build-up alongside Football Association Cup Second Round Developments plus More

Preamble

Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one football live hub, focusing on the day's key football fixtures. The Premier League offers intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games plus cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite was absent in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the season.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant Premier League development was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the summit of the table.

Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of head coach 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 rematch of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated 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 the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Additional notable outcomes featured:

  • Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
  • Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
  • Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's cup schedule includes:

  • Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
  • Boreham Wood v Newport County
  • Gateshead v Walsall
  • Blackpool v Carlisle United

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears a trio of separate mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.

  1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
  2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
  3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday'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)

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 the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters seems divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Can we pause 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.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

  • The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
  • Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.

Mary Smith
Mary Smith

A passionate writer and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in content creation and brand storytelling.