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Preamble

Morning everyone to another Sunday day. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, highlighting the day's major football action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines even though he did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the season.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant Premier League story saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host the Hammers for an afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two provided lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout results featured:

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

Today's FA Cup action 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 separate mini-leagues developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today's schedule 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 the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently 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 bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter 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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

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