🔗 Share this article

Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this weekend morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live center, centering on today's major football action. England's top division offers fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action and FA Cup round two excitement completes the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the season.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight story was the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the table.

Away from the English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome West Ham for an afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Other notable outcomes featured:

• Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's 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 mini-leagues developing in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, today's fixtures 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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction from the Liverpool forward's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Views from supporters seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, 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.”

“Can we pause to feel sorry 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 relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Might he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

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

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

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