Top Flight Preview and FA Cup Second Round Updates plus More

Preamble

Morning everyone on this Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive football live hub, highlighting the day's major soccer fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action plus cup round two drama completes the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable critique on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.

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

Another major top-flight story was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.

Outside the English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls host West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other notable outcomes featured:

  • Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
  • Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
  • Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's cup schedule features:

  • 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 a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.

  1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
  2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
  3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday's schedule include:

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)

Around the Continent:

  • Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
  • Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

The Salah Debate Continues

The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Fan opinion appears 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 club legend.”
“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid 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 burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.

  • The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. 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 playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

There is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.

Stephanie Johnson
Stephanie Johnson

Elara is an avid hiker and nature writer, sharing personal stories and expert advice from trails around the world.