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Preamble

Good morning to another weekend morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live center, focusing on the day's key soccer action. England's top division offers intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League games and cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage get in touch telling us your plans for watching the action. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite was absent in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an stunning attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League development saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

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

Other standout results featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today'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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

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

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday'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)

Around the Continent:

• 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 explosive interview continues. There are two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Views from supporters seems divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA 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 have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

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