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Preamble

Good morning to another Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, highlighting the day's major soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers intriguing contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games plus cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight development saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.

Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Other notable outcomes featured:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup action includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule feature:

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 fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Views from supporters seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should pause 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 damaged. Could 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?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted 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. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

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