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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another weekend morning. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, highlighting today's major soccer action. England's top division presents intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League action plus cup second round excitement completes 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

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the season.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the standings.

Outside English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two delivered lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Other standout outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup schedule includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears a trio of distinct battlegroups forming in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

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

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy 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? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

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