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Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone on this Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live hub, focusing on the day's major soccer action. England's top division offers fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action plus cup second round excitement completes the schedule. Feel free to share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the spotlight despite did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the team's poor beginning to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major Premier League story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results featured:

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

Today's FA Cup schedule features:

• 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 battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today'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)

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 clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Views from supporters seems split:

“United fan here. 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 club legend.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently 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 move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the fan 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 – rendered the field unplayable.

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