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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome to another weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive football live hub, centering on the day's key soccer fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games plus FA Cup second round drama completes the lineup. We encourage send us your views telling us your plans for watching today's games. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight despite was absent in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major top-flight story was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, makes for a incredibly close battle at the top of the standings.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two provided lots of excitement on Saturday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Today's 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

There seems to be three separate mini-leagues forming in this season's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday's schedule include:

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)

Around the Continent:

• 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 rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he earned the right to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters seems split:

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

“Can we take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. It was later announced the fan 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 time this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.

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