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Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone to another weekend morning. This is your comprehensive football live hub, focusing on today's major football action. The Premier League offers intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and FA Cup second round drama completes the schedule. As always send us your views telling us how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines even though he was absent in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant Premier League development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close battle at the top of the table.

Away from English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Other standout outcomes included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup schedule includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight 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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Can we take a moment 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.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed 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. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.

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