🔗 Share this article

Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one football live center, highlighting today's key soccer action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action and cup second round drama rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the season.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight story was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Outside the English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United 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 FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's cup action includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three separate battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and domestic 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 comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Fan opinion seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. 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 have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers'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 occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.