Premier League Build-up alongside FA Cup Round Two Updates and Additional Coverage

Preamble

Morning everyone on this weekend morning. This is your all-in-one football coverage hub, centering on today's major soccer action. The Premier League offers intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action and FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. Feel free to get in touch telling us how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite was absent in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing critique on boss the Dutch coach, claiming him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third straight match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major Premier League story saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

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

Other notable outcomes included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup action includes:

• 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 a trio of separate battlegroups forming in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, today'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)

European Football:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, 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 best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the supporter 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 – rendered the field unsuitable.

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