🔗 Share this article

Introduction

Morning everyone on this weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live hub, highlighting today's major soccer fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action and cup round two drama completes the schedule. Feel free to send us your views telling us how you'll be following today's games. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the headlines despite not featuring in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated that he felt singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.

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

Another significant top-flight development was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the top of the table.

Away from English football, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton host the Hammers in a afternoon kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the arrival of manager Nuno. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are aiming for a fourth straight away win in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two provided lots of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time in their history.

Other notable results featured:

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

Today's FA Cup action 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 mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Away from the Premier League and FA Cup, today's fixtures 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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. There are two distinct sides to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? Or is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Views from supporters seems split:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was the players' 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 have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and head for the Saudi Pro League after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship matches were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn Rovers's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

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