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Preamble

Hello and welcome to another Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage center, centering on today's key soccer action. England's top division offers intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action plus cup round two drama completes the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight despite did not play in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the table.

Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham for an 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Other notable results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup action features:

• 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 mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures 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)

Around the Continent:

• 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 distinct sides to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA 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 have sympathy 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 bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn'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 – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.