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Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this weekend morning. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, centering on the day's major football fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games and cup second round drama rounds out the lineup. Feel free to send us your views telling us your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning to the season.

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

Another significant top-flight development was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.

Outside English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host West Ham in a afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat 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 without conceding in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round provided lots of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other notable results included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally 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 campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League 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)

Around the Continent:

• 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 continues. There are two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters seems split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' 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 pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier fixtures were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.