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Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive football live center, highlighting today's major soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action and FA Cup second round drama rounds out the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the table.

Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup action includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three separate battlegroups developing 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 Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and FA 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)

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 Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion seems split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, 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 pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, 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? Might he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

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