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Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone to another Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage center, focusing on today's major soccer fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and 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 second round drama completes the schedule. Feel free to get in touch telling us how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight even though he did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the starting lineup for the third straight game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the standings.

Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Additional notable outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's cup schedule features:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be a trio of distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight 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)

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 explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died 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 time this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

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