Premier League Build-up alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Updates and More

Introduction

Hello and welcome to another weekend morning. This is your comprehensive football coverage hub, centering on today's key soccer action. England's top division presents intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games plus cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight even though he not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning 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 occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major Premier League development was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close race at the top of the standings.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers in a afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday'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

There seems to be a trio of distinct battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures include:

Women's Top Flight: (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 argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion appears split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers'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 pitch unplayable.

There is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.