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Preamble

Good morning on this weekend morning. This is your all-in-one football coverage center, highlighting today's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action plus FA Cup round two excitement completes the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major Premier League development saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

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

Additional standout results included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's cup schedule features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three separate mini-leagues developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside 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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion seems divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.