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Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage center, focusing on today's major football fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games and cup second round drama completes 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

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight despite was absent in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing attack on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's poor beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … 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 professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham in a afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable 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 straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup schedule includes:

• 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 separate battlegroups forming in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today's schedule include:

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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.