Top Flight Build-up alongside FA Cup Round Two Updates plus Additional Coverage

Introduction

Hello and welcome to another Sunday day. This is your all-in-one matchday live center, highlighting today's major soccer action. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League games plus FA Cup round two excitement completes the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the campaign.

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

Another significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an afternoon start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive 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 cup last-eight tie. 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 latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two provided lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other notable outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Today's cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and domestic 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 continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Views from supporters seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. 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.”

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

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.