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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage center, highlighting the day's key football action. England's top division offers fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action and cup round two drama completes the schedule. As always share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the season.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other major top-flight story was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Other standout outcomes included:

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

Today's cup schedule includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three distinct battlegroups forming in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today's fixtures 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 rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion seems divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no 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 presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan 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. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

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