🔗 Share this article

Introduction

Morning everyone on this Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage hub, centering on today's major football action. England's top division offers fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action and cup second round excitement completes the lineup. Feel free to send us your views telling us your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight story saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.

Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host West Ham in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two provided plenty of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout results featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup schedule includes:

• 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 a trio of distinct battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly 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, today'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 explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion seems split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' 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 take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. 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 pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

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