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Preamble

Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, centering on the day's major soccer action. England's top division offers fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action and FA Cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch and let us know how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the spotlight despite did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the season.

“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 career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League development was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.

Outside the English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls host West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's cup action includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
• 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 mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack 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 top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

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

Women's Super League (WSL): (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 fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion seems split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

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

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.