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Introduction

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. This is your all-in-one matchday coverage hub, focusing on today's key soccer action. England's top division presents intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games and cup round two drama rounds out the schedule. As always send us your views and let us know how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite was absent in the Reds' hectic six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. He expressed feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another significant top-flight development was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi once again wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an afternoon kickoff. The visitors have shown flickers of life since the appointment of manager Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the league, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup second round provided lots of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by reaching the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout outcomes included:

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

Today's cup action includes:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be a trio of distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, today's fixtures 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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. There are two distinct sides to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true club icon? On the other, is boss Slot right in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“United fan here. 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 club legend.”

“Can we take a moment 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? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia after the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken unwell. It was later confirmed the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn'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 – made the field unplayable.

At this time, there is no word yet on when these matches will be replayed.