🔗 Share this article

Introduction

Hello and welcome on this Sunday day. This is your all-in-one football coverage center, focusing on today's major football action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action and FA Cup second round drama rounds out the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines even though he was absent in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the season.

“I can’t believe … 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 major Premier League story was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

Outside the English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno. 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 cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup action features:

• 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 battlegroups forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying 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 European places. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday'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)

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 comments rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• 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's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.