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Opening Thoughts

Good morning to another Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live center, focusing on today's major football action. England's top division presents fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action and cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “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 saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup schedule includes:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight 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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters seems split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, 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.”

“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.

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

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