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Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone on this weekend day. This is your all-in-one matchday live center, focusing on the day's key football action. England's top division presents intriguing contests featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League games and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting 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 story was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.

Away from English football, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout results featured:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup schedule features:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears three separate mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday'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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, 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 feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on 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

A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. 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 pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.