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Opening Thoughts

Good morning to another Sunday day. This is your all-in-one football live hub, centering on today's major football action. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action plus cup second round 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.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the team's poor beginning to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Outside the English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of head coach Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round delivered plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other notable results featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Today's cup action includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

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

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today's schedule feature:

Women's Top Flight: (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 rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters 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 chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

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