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

Preamble

Morning everyone to another Sunday morning. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage center, centering on today's key soccer action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games plus cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite did not play in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant Premier League development was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the top of the table.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers for an afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two provided lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Additional standout outcomes included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup action includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday'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)

Around the Continent:

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

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“United fan here. 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 forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers'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 unplayable.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.