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Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this weekend day. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, focusing on the day's key soccer action. England's top division presents intriguing matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games and cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines even though he was absent in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major Premier League story saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

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.

Other standout results featured:

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

Today's FA Cup action includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
• 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 top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and domestic 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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss 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 memory serves, 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 pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.