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Preamble

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage center, focusing on the day's key football action. The Premier League offers intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games plus cup round two excitement completes the schedule. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight even though he not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the season.

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

The other major top-flight development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the summit of the table.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
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 scrap to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's schedule 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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction 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 speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion seems 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 legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have 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 relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed 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 field unsuitable.

There is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.