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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, highlighting the day's key football action. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action plus cup round two excitement completes the lineup. As always get in touch telling us your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he was absent in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive game. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other major Premier League development saw the Gunners' injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of head coach Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

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

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Other standout results featured:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup action features:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears three distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly in trouble. Teams like others could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League 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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“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.”

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

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers'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 – rendered the field unsuitable.

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