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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive football live hub, centering on the day's major football action. England's top division presents intriguing matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League action and cup second round drama rounds out the lineup. As always get in touch telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the campaign.

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

The other major Premier League story was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. That result, combined with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the table.

Outside the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Other notable results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup action includes:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, today's fixtures feature:

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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Fan opinion seems divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of second-tier matches were abandoned on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn'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 – made the field unsuitable.

There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.