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Introduction

Good morning on this Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, highlighting today's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action plus cup round two drama completes the lineup. Feel free to send us your views telling us how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an stunning attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third straight game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing start to the campaign.

“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’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League development saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the top of the table.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round provided lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Other notable results included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup action features:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be a trio of distinct battlegroups forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up likely 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 battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, today'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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Fan opinion seems split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning 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 a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed 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. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.