Premier League Build-up and FA Cup Round Two Updates and Additional Coverage

Preamble

Hello and welcome to another weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday live hub, centering on today's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL games and cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage send us your views and let us know your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the headlines even though he did not play in Liverpool's hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an astonishing attack on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's disappointing beginning to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight development saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. That result, combined with Manchester City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the top of the table.

Outside the English leagues, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 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 improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other notable outcomes included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton FC were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday'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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

There seems to be three separate mini-leagues developing in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and domestic cup, today's schedule feature:

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 the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Views from supporters seems 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.”

“Perhaps we should pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier matches were abandoned yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was paused in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

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