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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage hub, centering on the day's key football action. The Premier League presents fascinating matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and cup round two drama completes the schedule. As always get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight despite did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “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 top-flight development saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.

Away from English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham in a afternoon start. West Ham have displayed signs of improvement since the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two delivered lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Other notable results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup action includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
• 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. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures 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)

European Football:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion seems divided:

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

“Perhaps we should take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed 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 – made the field unsuitable.

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