Premier League Build-up and Football Association Cup Round Two Updates and Additional Coverage

Preamble

Hello and welcome to another Sunday morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage center, centering on today's major football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action and cup round two excitement completes the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

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

The other major Premier League development was Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout results featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup schedule includes:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday'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)

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 comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. 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 what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no 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 highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter 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. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.

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