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Preamble

Good morning to another Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, focusing on the day's major football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action and cup second round drama completes the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat 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 am extremely disappointed.”

The other major top-flight development saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the standings.

Outside the English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup schedule includes:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be a trio of distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today's schedule 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)

European Football:

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

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion seems divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, 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.”

“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry 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.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter died 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 field unplayable.

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