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Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive football live center, focusing on today's major soccer action. England's top division offers fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action plus FA Cup second round drama completes the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

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

The other major top-flight development saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.

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

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham for an afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two provided plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes featured:

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

Today's cup action features:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early 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 Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, today's schedule 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 explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“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 pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked 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 seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted 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 pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.