Introduction
Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, centering on the day's major football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. Feel free to send us your views telling us your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.
Yesterday's Headlines
Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.
“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”
Another significant Premier League story was the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.
Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.
Sunday's Top-Flight Matches
The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an afternoon start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.
Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their latest travels.
Cup Action Continues
The FA Cup second round delivered lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.
Additional standout results included:
- Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
- Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
- Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.
Today's cup schedule includes:
- Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
- Boreham Wood v Newport County
- Gateshead v Walsall
- Blackpool v Carlisle United
Developing Mini-Leagues
It appears three distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.
- The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
- The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
- The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.
Other Matches Today
Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today's fixtures 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 Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt 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 legend of the club.”
“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”
The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?
Sad News from the Championship
Two Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.
- The game 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 supporter passed away in hospital.
- Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.
At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.
