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Preamble

Good morning to another weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage center, highlighting the day's major football fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup second round excitement completes the lineup. Feel free to share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the season.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other major Premier League story saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Outside the English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham in a afternoon start. West Ham have shown flickers 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 their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round delivered lots of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Additional standout results included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today'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 three distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, today'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)

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 comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Fan opinion appears split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn'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 unplayable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.