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Preamble

Good morning to another Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, focusing on the day's key football action. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games plus cup round two excitement completes the schedule. Feel free to get in touch telling us your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight even though he did not play in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the team's disappointing start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … 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’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

Outside the English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls host the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Additional notable outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup schedule features:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be a trio of separate battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League and domestic 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)

European Football:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Views from supporters seems divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently 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. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.