🔗 Share this article

Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone on this Sunday morning. We bring you your all-in-one football live hub, highlighting today's key soccer action. The Premier League offers intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action plus cup round two excitement completes the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development was the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the top of the standings.

Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw 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 cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes included:

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

Today's cup action includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, today's fixtures 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 the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Fan opinion seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. 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 legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier matches were abandoned on Saturday.

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

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