🔗 Share this article

Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage hub, highlighting today's key soccer action. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action plus FA Cup second round excitement completes the schedule. As always share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant Premier League story saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two provided plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's 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 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 incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, today'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 Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Fan opinion appears split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Or will 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 matches were abandoned on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed 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 field unplayable.

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