🔗 Share this article

Introduction

Morning everyone to another weekend day. This is your comprehensive football coverage hub, highlighting today's major football fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing matches featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL games plus cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage send us your views telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after being left out the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight story saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight race at the top of the table.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host West Ham in a 2pm GMT start. The visitors have displayed signs of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth successive away win in the league, having beaten three opponents to nil in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

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

Additional notable outcomes included:

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

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

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

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, Sunday's fixtures include:

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)

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 Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters appears split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, 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.”

“Can we pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, 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 another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan 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. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the field unsuitable.

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