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Introduction

Good morning on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive football coverage center, focusing on the day's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action plus FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. As always share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight despite not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the season.

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

The other major Premier League development saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome the Hammers in a afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other notable results included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA 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 three separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, today's schedule 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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears split:

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

“Perhaps we should pause 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.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter died 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 time this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.