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Preamble

Good morning to another Sunday day. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage hub, focusing on today's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action and FA Cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he did not play in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight story was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the top of the table.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round delivered lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup action 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 developing in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, today's schedule 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)

European Football:

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

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters seems divided:

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

“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have 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? 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 head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.