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Preamble

Morning everyone to another Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, centering on the day's major football fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games and cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League story was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the top of the table.

Outside English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome the Hammers for an afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw 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 successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes included:

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

Today's cup action features:

• 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 three distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today's fixtures feature:

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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid 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 move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter 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 time this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

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