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Preamble

Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, highlighting the day's key football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action plus FA Cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. As always send us your views telling us your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the top of the table.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever 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 welcome the Hammers in a afternoon 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 presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other standout results featured:

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

Sunday's cup schedule includes:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears three distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today'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 Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Fan opinion seems split:

“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 feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic 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 pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

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