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Introduction

Good morning on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, focusing on today's key soccer action. The Premier League offers intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action plus FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight development saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Other standout results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup action includes:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three separate battlegroups forming in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside 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)

Around the Continent:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion appears split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter passed away 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.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.