Premier League Buildup and FA Cup Round Two Developments plus Additional Coverage

Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone on this Sunday day. This is your all-in-one matchday live center, centering on today's key soccer action. The Premier League offers intriguing contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games and FA Cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight 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, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other major top-flight development saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the summit of the table.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Additional notable outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA 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 three distinct battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday'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 voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have 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 bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.