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Opening Thoughts

Good morning to another Sunday day. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage center, centering on the day's key soccer fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games and cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to send us your views and let us know how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat 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. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight development was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the top of the table.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls host West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of drama yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Additional notable outcomes included:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Today's cup schedule includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
• 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 distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains 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 dogfight to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and FA 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)

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 the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier matches were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan 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 field unsuitable.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.