Premier League Buildup alongside FA Cup Second Round Latest News plus More

Preamble

Good morning on this Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live center, centering on the day's key football action. The Premier League presents fascinating contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action plus cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always send us your views telling us your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other major Premier League development was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the table.

Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Other notable outcomes featured:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today'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 a trio of distinct battlegroups forming in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today's schedule 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 Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Views from supporters seems divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. 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 club legend.”

“Can we pause to have sympathy 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? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship matches were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.