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Introduction

Hello and welcome on this weekend day. This is your all-in-one football coverage hub, highlighting the day's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games plus FA Cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. As always send us your views telling us how you'll be following today's games. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight development saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight battle at the summit of the table.

Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. 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 repeat of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup action includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three separate battlegroups forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday's schedule 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 reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' 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 must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

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