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Opening Thoughts

Good morning to another Sunday day. This is your all-in-one football coverage hub, highlighting the day's key football fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup round two excitement completes the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League story was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other notable results featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup schedule features:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears a trio of separate battlegroups forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday's schedule feature:

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)

Around the Continent:

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

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Fan opinion appears split:

“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. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter died 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 these matches will be replayed.