Premier League Build-up and Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News plus Additional Coverage

Preamble

Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live hub, highlighting the day's key soccer action. England's top division offers intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action and FA Cup round two drama completes the schedule. We encourage send us your views telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano BuendĂ­a's winning goal. That result, coupled with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host West Ham in a afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno EspĂ­rito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two delivered lots of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Other notable outcomes featured:

  • Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
  • Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
  • Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup schedule includes:

  • Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
  • Boreham Wood v Newport County
  • Gateshead v Walsall
  • Blackpool v Carlisle United

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.

  1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the championship.
  2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the elite?
  3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday's schedule feature:

Women's Super League (WSL): (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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters seems split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”
“Perhaps we should 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.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

  • The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute 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 pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

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

Sara Rojas
Sara Rojas

Elara is a tech enthusiast and writer with a passion for exploring emerging technologies and their impact on society.