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Introduction

Morning everyone on this weekend morning. This is your all-in-one football coverage hub, focusing on today's key soccer action. England's top division offers intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League games plus FA Cup second round drama rounds out the lineup. Feel free to send us your views telling us your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the campaign.

“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 top-flight story saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the table.

Away from English leagues, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of drama on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other notable results included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport County on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup action features:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three distinct mini-leagues developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Away from 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 the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Fan opinion appears split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, 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.”

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

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests 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 Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the pitch unsuitable.

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