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Introduction

Hello and welcome to another weekend morning. This is your all-in-one matchday live hub, highlighting the day's major football action. England's top division presents fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with WSL action plus FA Cup second round excitement completes the schedule. Feel free to share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines despite did not play in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an remarkable attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the team's poor beginning to the season.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League development was the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close battle at the summit of the standings.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. 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 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 travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Other notable results featured:

• Swindon thrashed Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup schedule includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early kickoff)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears a trio of distinct battlegroups developing in this campaign's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested section contains several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Will any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking especially vulnerable. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, today's schedule 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)

European Football:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

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 chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid 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. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unplayable.

There is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.