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Preamble

Hello and welcome on this weekend day. This is your comprehensive matchday live hub, focusing on the day's key soccer action. The Premier League offers intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League action plus cup second round drama completes the lineup. Feel free to get in touch telling us your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines even though he not featuring in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing start to the season.

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

The other major top-flight development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.

Outside English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two provided lots of excitement 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 standout results featured:

• Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup action 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 a trio of distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today's fixtures 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)

European Football:

• 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 rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should 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 the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

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

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away 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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

There is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.