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Preamble

Good morning on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive football live hub, centering on today's major football action. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action plus FA Cup second round excitement completes the lineup. As always share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.

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

The other significant top-flight story saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the top of the table.

Away from English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Other standout results featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's cup schedule features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign'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 section contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday'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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters seems split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

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