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Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this weekend day. This is your comprehensive matchday live center, centering on the day's key soccer action. England's top division presents intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action plus FA Cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. Feel free to share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other major Premier League story saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.

Outside English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host West Ham in a afternoon start. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Other notable outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

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

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like others could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's schedule feature:

Women's Super League (WSL): (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 reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters seems 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 chief scapegoat. This is no 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 presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.