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Preamble

Good morning to another Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage center, focusing on the day's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action plus FA Cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the spotlight even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other major top-flight development was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.

Away from the English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Additional standout results featured:

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

Sunday's FA Cup action 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 a trio of separate mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today'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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters seems split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute 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 stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.