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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another weekend morning. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, focusing on the day's major soccer fixtures. England's top division presents intriguing matches between Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games plus cup round two drama completes the schedule. Feel free to send us your views and let us know how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight development was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with City's comfortable win over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the top of the table.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of manager Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two provided lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup schedule 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 distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today's fixtures include:

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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview continues. 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 justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Views from supporters 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 club legend.”

“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two Championship fixtures were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

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