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Preamble

Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live center, centering on today's major soccer action. England's top division offers intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games and cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. Feel free to get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight despite not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight story saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close battle at the top of the table.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other standout outcomes featured:

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

Sunday's cup action includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

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

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday'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)

European Football:

• 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. There are two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Fan opinion seems split:

“United fan here. 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 club legend.”

“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

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

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn'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 – rendered the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.