Premier League Build-up alongside Football Association Cup Round Two Developments plus Additional Coverage

Introduction

Good morning to another weekend morning. This is your all-in-one football coverage hub, focusing on today's key football fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games plus FA Cup second round drama rounds out the schedule. As always share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the spotlight despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat 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. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the table.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty 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 standout outcomes included:

• Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Today's cup schedule includes:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

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

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)

Around the Continent:

• 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 explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Views from supporters appears split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s the main target. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted 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 stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.

There is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.