🔗 Share this article

Preamble

Good morning on this Sunday day. This is your all-in-one football live center, centering on today's major football action. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and cup round two drama completes the schedule. Feel free to send us your views telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.

Away from English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's cup schedule includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures include:

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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. There are two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.

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

There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.