🔗 Share this article

Introduction

Morning everyone to another weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live center, focusing on the day's key soccer action. England's top division presents fascinating matches featuring Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with Women's Super League action and FA Cup second round excitement completes the schedule. Feel free to get in touch telling us your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable attack on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. He expressed that he felt singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight development was Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning strike. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the standings.

Away from the English football, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham for an 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of life since the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round delivered lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout results included:

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

Sunday's FA Cup action features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

It appears three separate mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to stay up probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, Sunday'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)

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 argument. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Views from supporters seems divided:

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

“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers'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 – made the pitch unsuitable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.