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Preamble

Morning everyone to another weekend morning. This is your comprehensive football live hub, focusing on today's major soccer action. The Premier League presents fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action and cup round two drama completes the schedule. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing beginning to the season.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other major Premier League story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.

Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two provided lots of drama yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears a trio of distinct battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule 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)

Around the Continent:

• 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 distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion seems split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, 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.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter died 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 time this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

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