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Preamble

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, centering on today's major football fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing matches featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action plus cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club'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, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight story was Arsenal's injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the table.

Outside English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen 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 league, having defeated three opponents to nil in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two provided plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Additional standout results featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's FA Cup schedule includes:

• 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 forming in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and domestic cup, today'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)

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 the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? On the other, is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“United fan here. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

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

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. 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 pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.