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Preamble

Morning everyone on this weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, centering on the day's major soccer action. The Premier League offers intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action plus FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. Feel free to send us your views telling us how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the campaign.

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

Another major top-flight story was the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the standings.

Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered lots of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history 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 United beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three separate mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly 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 European places. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today'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)

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 explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps 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 right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“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 club legend.”

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

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

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

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.