Premier League Preview alongside Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News and Additional Coverage

Opening Thoughts

Good morning to another Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive matchday live hub, highlighting the day's major football action. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games and FA Cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to send us your views and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the team's poor start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight development was Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the standings.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever 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 host the Hammers for an afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls 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 defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, today's fixtures 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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced 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. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

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