🔗 Share this article

Preamble

Morning everyone on this Sunday day. This is your comprehensive football live hub, highlighting today's key football action. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action plus cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. As always send us your views and let us know your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight despite was absent in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the season.

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

The other significant Premier League development saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the top of the standings.

Outside English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town 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

There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, today's schedule feature:

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 fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.