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Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one football coverage center, highlighting today's key football fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action and cup round two excitement completes the lineup. We encourage get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight even though he did not play in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other major Premier League story was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the standings.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome West Ham in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup schedule includes:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears a trio of distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today's schedule include:

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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. 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 club legend.”

“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed 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. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.