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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another weekend morning. This is your comprehensive football coverage hub, focusing on today's major football action. England's top division presents intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League action and cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. We encourage get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor start to the campaign.

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

The other significant Premier League story was Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.

Away from English football, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Additional standout results featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup schedule includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three separate battlegroups forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures 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)

European Football:

• 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 distinct sides to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Views from supporters seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. 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 take a moment 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 Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers'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 – rendered the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be replayed.