Top Flight Buildup alongside FA Cup Second Round Latest News and More

Introduction

Morning everyone on this Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live center, centering on the day's major football fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action and cup round two 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.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout results featured:

• Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup schedule includes:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

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)

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 comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Views from supporters seems split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' 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 feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused 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 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 field unplayable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.