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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this Sunday day. This is your all-in-one football coverage hub, focusing on today's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and FA Cup second round excitement completes the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the top of the table.

Away from the English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement since the arrival of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round provided lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout results included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup schedule features:

• 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 developing in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. 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 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)

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 Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Fan opinion seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

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