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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one football live center, highlighting the day's major soccer fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. As always send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an stunning attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight development was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham in a 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

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

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Other notable outcomes included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup action features:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears a trio of distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any string together a winning run 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 looking especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today's schedule 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 reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter 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 – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.