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Preamble

Good morning on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive football coverage center, centering on today's key football fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action plus FA Cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to send us your views and let us know how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the team's poor start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major Premier League story saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close race at the top of the table.

Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive 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 cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Additional standout outcomes featured:

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

Today's cup action features:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
• 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 developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: 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 aspirations for the European places. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, today'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 rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

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

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