Top Flight Preview alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Latest News plus Additional Coverage

Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone on this weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage center, focusing on today's major football action. England's top division presents fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League games and cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. As always send us your views telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major Premier League development was Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat 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 victory on the road in the league, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Other notable outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup schedule 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

There seems to be a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures feature:

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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters 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 chief scapegoat. Not the 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 presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.

• 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 supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

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