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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage hub, focusing on the day's key football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action plus cup second round drama completes the lineup. As always get in touch telling us your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines despite did not play in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

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

The other significant top-flight development saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup action includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Will any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA 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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Fan opinion seems split:

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

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

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter died 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.