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Introduction

Hello and welcome on this Sunday morning. This is your comprehensive matchday live center, centering on today's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action and cup second round excitement completes the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight story saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the top of the table.

Away from English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Other notable outcomes included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's 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

It appears a trio of separate battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight 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 the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Views from supporters seems divided:

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

“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died 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.

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