🔗 Share this article

Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one football coverage center, focusing on the day's major 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 between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action and FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. As always get in touch telling us your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an stunning critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's poor start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

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

Away from the English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Additional standout results featured:

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

Sunday'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 three separate battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday's fixtures feature:

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)

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 the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion seems split:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

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

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter 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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

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