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Preamble

Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage center, highlighting today's key football fixtures. The Premier League offers intriguing matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League action plus FA Cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to get in touch telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing critique on boss 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 singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning 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, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight development was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.

Away from English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable results featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup action 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 distinct mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday'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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Fan opinion seems 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 chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

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

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

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