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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage hub, focusing on today's major soccer action. The Premier League offers intriguing matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action plus FA Cup round two excitement completes the schedule. As always send us your views telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race 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 lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement since the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup 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 standout results included:

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

Sunday's FA Cup action 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 three separate mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for 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 likely concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, today's fixtures 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 the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion seems divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, 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.”

“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry 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 relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn'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 – made the pitch unsuitable.

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