Top Flight Build-up and Football Association Cup Round Two Developments and More

Preamble

Good morning on this Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage center, focusing on today's major soccer action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action and cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. Feel free to send us your views and let us know how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight story was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the top of the standings.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham for an afternoon start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

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

The FA Cup Second Round

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

Other standout outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup schedule includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT 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 separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA 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)

Around the Continent:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

The Salah Debate Continues

The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

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