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Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, focusing on today's major soccer fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games and cup round two drama completes the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing 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 club's disappointing start 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, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight development saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the top of the standings.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout outcomes featured:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup action includes:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears three distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, today'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 continues. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Fan opinion seems divided:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

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

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier fixtures 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 supporter 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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

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