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Introduction

Morning everyone to another weekend day. This is your all-in-one football coverage center, centering on the day's key football action. England's top division offers intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action and FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. As always share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines even though he not featuring in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on boss the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “under the bus” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight development saw Arsenal's injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, coupled with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment of manager 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 season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout results included:

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

Today's FA Cup schedule 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 separate battlegroups developing in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like others could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today'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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? Or is boss Arne Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Views from supporters appears 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. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

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

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The match 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 supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.