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Preamble

Good morning on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live hub, highlighting the day's major football action. The Premier League offers intriguing matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action and cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he did not play in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the season.

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

Another major Premier League development saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, combined with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round provided lots of excitement yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Other notable results included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three distinct battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's schedule feature:

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)

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 Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked 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 relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

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