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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, centering on the day's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League offers intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games plus cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting 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 professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other major top-flight story was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the table.

Outside English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes included:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring 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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears a trio of distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today's schedule include:

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 rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion seems divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. 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 club legend.”

“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. 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 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.