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Introduction

Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage center, focusing on today's major football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action plus FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement since the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today's cup schedule includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three distinct battlegroups forming in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged 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)

European Football:

• 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. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

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

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.