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

Preamble

Morning everyone on this weekend morning. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage center, centering on today's key football fixtures. The Premier League presents fascinating contests between the Seagulls and the Hammers and Fulham & Crystal Palace. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish Premiership encounter sees Celtic and Hearts, alongside WSL action plus FA Cup round two drama completes the schedule. As always share your thoughts telling us your plans for watching today's games. Let's get into it.

Major Stories from Saturday

Liverpool's Egyptian star stole the spotlight even though he did not play in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an stunning critique on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's disappointing beginning to the season.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” the Egyptian reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other major Premier League story saw the Gunners' injury-time loss at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable win over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the top of the table.

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

Today's Premier League Fixtures

Brighton welcome West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life under 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 five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool to nil in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round provided lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Additional standout outcomes included:

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

Sunday's cup schedule includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early 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. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight section includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to threaten the elite?
3. The Relegation Battle: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Away from the Premier League and domestic cup, Sunday'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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview continues. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a true club icon? Or is boss Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win matches?

Views from supporters seems divided:

“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 the main target. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Can we take a moment to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He must have forgotten that he is presently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for Mo Salah, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

Two second-tier fixtures were called off on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was paused in the early stages after a fan was taken ill. It was later announced the supporter 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 occasion this season at the ground – made the field unplayable.

There is no word yet on when either game will be rescheduled.