Top Flight Buildup and Football Association Cup Second Round Developments plus More

Opening Thoughts

Good morning to another weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage center, focusing on the day's key football action. 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 Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games plus FA Cup round two drama completes the schedule. We encourage get in touch telling us your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the campaign.

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

The other significant Premier League story was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning strike. That result, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close battle at the summit of the table.

Away from English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host West Ham for an afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two provided plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's cup schedule features:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three separate mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic 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 fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Views from supporters appears split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, 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 must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

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