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Introduction

Good morning on this Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive matchday live center, highlighting today's major football fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games plus FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he did not play in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing 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, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other major top-flight story was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.

Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup schedule includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

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

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes 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 scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures include:

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 explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion seems divided:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, 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 pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked 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 burned. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan passed away 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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

There is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.