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Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive football coverage hub, focusing on today's major soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action and FA Cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always send us your views telling us how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an stunning attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the season.

“I can’t believe … I am sat 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 significant top-flight story was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close battle at the top of the table.

Outside English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw 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 eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round delivered plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other standout outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday'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 a trio of separate battlegroups forming in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending 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 top five. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today'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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters seems split:

“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 take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away 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 unplayable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.