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Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, highlighting today's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. Feel free to send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning to the campaign.

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

The other major Premier League story saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the table.

Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham for an afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes featured:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup action features:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT 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 developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
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 in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, today'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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try 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 chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

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

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers'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 – rendered the pitch unplayable.

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