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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage hub, focusing on today's key soccer action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and cup round two excitement completes the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major Premier League story was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

Outside the English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Additional standout outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup schedule features:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears a trio of distinct battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and FA 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 fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, 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 pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently 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. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

There is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.