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Preamble

Hello and welcome on this weekend day. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, highlighting the day's key soccer action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action and FA Cup round two drama completes the lineup. Feel free to get in touch telling us how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite did not play in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” following omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.

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

Another significant top-flight story was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.

Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls host the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable 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 season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Other standout outcomes included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today'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

It appears a trio of separate battlegroups forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like others 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 fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“United fan here. 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 forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced 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 pitch unplayable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.