Premier League Buildup alongside FA Cup Round Two Developments and Additional Coverage

Introduction

Morning everyone to another Sunday day. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage hub, centering on today's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action and cup round two excitement completes the schedule. We encourage get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major Premier League development was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the top of the table.

Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive 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 rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Additional notable outcomes included:

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

Today's cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three separate battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today's fixtures 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)

Around the Continent:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

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 the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool 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 Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface 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 these matches will be replayed.