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Preamble

Good morning on this Sunday day. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on today's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games plus FA Cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines even though he was absent in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League development was the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round delivered lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Additional standout results featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today's cup schedule 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 a trio of distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, today's fixtures include:

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 continues. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, 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.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

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

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