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Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live center, centering on today's major soccer action. England's top division presents intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action plus cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. Feel free to get in touch and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing start to the campaign.

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

The other significant Premier League story saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Outside the English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

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

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of drama yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes included:

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

Today's FA Cup schedule features:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears three distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes 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 probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, today's fixtures 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)

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 the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss 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. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

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

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

There is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.