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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage hub, highlighting today's major football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action and FA Cup second round drama completes the schedule. Feel free to get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant Premier League development saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing 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 second round provided plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other standout results included:

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

Today's cup action includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, today's schedule 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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Views from supporters 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. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers'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 field unplayable.

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