Premier League Preview and Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News plus More

Preamble

Good morning on this Sunday day. We bring you your all-in-one football live hub, centering on today's major soccer fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games and FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage send us your views and let us know how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an stunning attack on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. 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, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League development was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

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

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome West Ham in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup action features:

• 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 forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged 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 fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion appears 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 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.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship matches were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.