Top Flight Preview and Football Association Cup Round Two Developments plus More

Preamble

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, centering on today's major football action. England's top division offers fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League action and cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. 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 commandeered the headlines even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the season.

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

Another major top-flight development saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

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

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls host the Hammers in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round provided lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup schedule 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

There seems to be a trio of distinct battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, today's fixtures feature:

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 comments continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears split:

“United fan here. 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 club legend.”

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

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

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn'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 field unplayable.

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