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Introduction

Hello and welcome on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, focusing on the day's major football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action plus cup second round drama completes the schedule. Feel free to get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

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

The other major Premier League development saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the table.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results featured:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup schedule includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
• 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 separate battlegroups forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League 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 reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion 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. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.