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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this weekend day. This is your comprehensive football coverage hub, highlighting the day's key football action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and cup round two drama completes the lineup. Feel free to get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines even though he not featuring in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's poor beginning to the season.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight story was Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the table.

Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Other notable outcomes included:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup action includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be a trio of separate mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
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 string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight 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)

European Football:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters appears split:

“United fan here. 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.”

“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.