Premier League Buildup and FA Cup Second Round Developments plus Additional Coverage

Introduction

Morning everyone to another weekend day. We bring you your all-in-one matchday coverage center, centering on today's key soccer fixtures. England's top division offers 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 clash between Celtic and Hearts, coupled with WSL action and FA Cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star grabbed the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on boss Arne Slot, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the first eleven for the third straight match. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the team's poor start to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another significant Premier League story saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emi Buendía's decisive strike. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

Outside English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever wrote the script for Inter Miami as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round delivered lots of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes included:

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

Sunday's cup schedule features:

• 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 a trio of separate battlegroups forming in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Teams like Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

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

Around the Continent:

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

The Salah Debate Continues

The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Views from supporters appears split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, 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 take a moment to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked 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 damaged. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier fixtures were called off yesterday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.