🔗 Share this article

Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this Sunday day. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live center, highlighting the day's key soccer fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action plus cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major Premier League story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the top of the standings.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results included:

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

Today's cup schedule includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears three separate battlegroups forming in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and FA 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)

Around the Continent:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Fan opinion appears split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we take a moment to have sympathy 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 the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

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