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Preamble

Morning everyone to another weekend morning. This is your comprehensive matchday coverage center, focusing on the day's key soccer action. The Premier League offers intriguing contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter between Celtic and Hearts, alongside Women's Super League games and cup round two excitement completes the schedule. As always get in touch and let us know how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight despite not featuring in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an astonishing critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the team's poor start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other major Premier League development was Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's winning goal. That result, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.

Outside English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the appointment of head coach Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Other notable results included:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's cup action 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

There seems to be a trio of distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and FA Cup, today'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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. There are two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' 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 feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think 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 head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier matches were abandoned on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface 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.