🔗 Share this article

Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone to another weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage center, focusing on today's key football fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL games plus FA Cup second round excitement completes the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight despite did not play in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on manager Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following 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.

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

The other major Premier League development was the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

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

Other standout results featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup schedule features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be a trio of separate mini-leagues forming in this season's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group 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 Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's schedule 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)

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 rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Fan opinion seems divided:

“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.”

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

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

There is no word yet on when these matches will be rescheduled.