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Preamble

Hello and welcome to another Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage center, highlighting today's key 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 clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games and cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. As always get in touch telling us how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the table.

Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes featured:

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

Today's cup action features:

• 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 a trio of distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures feature:

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 debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of second-tier fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.