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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. This is your comprehensive matchday live center, centering on today's major soccer action. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games plus FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. Feel free to get in touch telling us how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League development was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the top of the standings.

Away from the English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham for an afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two provided lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results included:

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

Sunday's FA 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 a trio of separate battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and FA 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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? 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 the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

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

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed 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. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.