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Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage center, focusing on today's major soccer action. The Premier League presents fascinating contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action and FA Cup second round excitement completes the lineup. As always send us your views and let us know your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines despite was absent in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight development saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.

Outside English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat 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 without conceding in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup schedule includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three separate battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, today's fixtures 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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Views from supporters 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. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

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

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship matches were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.