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Preamble

Good morning on this weekend day. This is your comprehensive football coverage hub, focusing on the day's major soccer action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the season.

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

The other major top-flight story was the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the table.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round delivered 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 standout results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup action features:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears 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 Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from 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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. There are two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is boss Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters appears split:

“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. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed 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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.