Top Flight Buildup and FA Cup Second Round Latest News and More

Preamble

Hello and welcome on this weekend day. This is your all-in-one football live hub, highlighting today's key football fixtures. England's top division presents fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham and Fulham & Crystal Palace. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League games and cup second round drama completes the schedule. As always get in touch telling us your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the spotlight despite not featuring in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the first eleven for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my career. I’m very, very disappointed.”

The other significant top-flight development saw Arsenal's last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with City's comfortable win over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the table.

Away from the English leagues, Lionel Messi as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

The Seagulls welcome West Ham for an 2pm GMT start. West Ham have displayed signs of life under the arrival of head coach Nuno. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in their last five.

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 Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup round two delivered lots of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United defeated Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Today'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 three distinct battlegroups forming in this season's Premier League.

1. Championship Contenders: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains several big names, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a consistent form to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside 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 fallout from Mohamed Salah's explosive interview rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the debate. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to try to win games?

Fan opinion seems 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. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should take a moment to feel sorry 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 Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Might he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the early stages after a supporter 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 playing surface at Ewood Park. Torrential rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unplayable.

There is no confirmation on when these matches will be replayed.