🔗 Share this article

Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on today's major soccer action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action and cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. Feel free to get in touch telling us your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite not featuring in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the team's poor start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … 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’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight development was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.

Outside the English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host the Hammers for an afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round delivered lots of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup schedule features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and domestic 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 fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt 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 chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

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

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

There is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.