Top Flight Preview and Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News plus Additional Coverage

Preamble

Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive football live hub, focusing on today's key soccer fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games and FA Cup second round drama rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite did not play in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning to the season.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant Premier League story was Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen 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 aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round provided lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA 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

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

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up likely involves several clubs, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday'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)

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 continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Views from supporters seems split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan 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 time this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.