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Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage center, highlighting today's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games plus cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage get in touch and let us know how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant Premier League development saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.

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

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two delivered lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout results featured:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup action features:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

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

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today's fixtures feature:

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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Views from supporters seems divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA 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 forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface 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.