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Opening Thoughts

Good morning to another Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, focusing on today's key football action. The Premier League presents intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games plus FA Cup round two excitement completes the lineup. As always get in touch telling us your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight even though he did not play in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an stunning attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling 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. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the table.

Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement since the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout outcomes included:

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

Today's FA Cup schedule includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three separate mini-leagues developing 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 very tight group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule include:

Women's Top Flight: (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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

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 chief scapegoat. 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 currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter 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. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

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