🔗 Share this article

Preamble

Hello and welcome on this Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, highlighting today's major soccer action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games plus FA Cup round two excitement completes the schedule. We encourage send us your views telling us how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's poor 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 time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major Premier League story saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the table.

Away from English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham in a afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Other notable outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's cup schedule includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures 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 explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters seems split:

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

“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, 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 another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.