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Preamble

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. This is your comprehensive matchday live hub, focusing on the day's key soccer action. England's top division offers intriguing contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games and cup second round drama completes the lineup. As always get in touch telling us your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite did not play in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other major top-flight development saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Outside the English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the arrival of head coach 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 repeat of last season's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes featured:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup schedule includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears a trio of distinct battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule include:

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 reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

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

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch 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 either game will be rescheduled.