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Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive football coverage center, focusing on today's major football fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage send us your views telling us your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight even though he was absent in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from 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. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close battle at the top of the table.

Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout results included:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup schedule features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly 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 European places. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures feature:

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 fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion seems split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, 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.”

“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question 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 move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced 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 – rendered the field unsuitable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.