🔗 Share this article

Introduction

Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one football live center, centering on the day's key soccer action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games plus FA Cup round two drama completes the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the team's poor beginning to the season.

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

Another major top-flight development was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the table.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host West Ham in a afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other standout results featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

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

Women's Super League (WSL): (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 reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion seems split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' 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's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan passed away 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 time this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.

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