Top Flight Preview alongside FA Cup Second Round Latest News and More

Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, centering on today's major soccer fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action and cup second round excitement completes the schedule. Feel free to send us your views telling us your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the team's poor start to the season.

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

Another major Premier League development was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since 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 year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Other standout results featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup action includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three distinct battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up likely concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and FA 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 explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Fan opinion seems divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away 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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

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