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Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one football coverage hub, centering on today's key soccer action. England's top division presents fascinating matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games plus FA Cup second round drama completes the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other major top-flight development was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the table.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome West Ham in a 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Other standout results included:

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

Today's FA Cup schedule features:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
• 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 top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and domestic 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)

European Football:

• 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 comments rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.

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