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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage hub, focusing on the day's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games plus FA Cup round two drama completes the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other major top-flight story was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United 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 cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Other standout outcomes included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures include:

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)

Around the Continent:

• 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 continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

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 legend of the club.”

“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship matches were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers'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 pitch unplayable.

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