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Introduction

Hello and welcome to another weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, highlighting today's major football fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action plus cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. We encourage share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the spotlight even though he was absent in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.

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

Another major Premier League development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the table.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout outcomes included:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup schedule includes:

• 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 a trio of separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League 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)

Around the Continent:

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

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“United fan here. 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.”

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

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn'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 occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

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