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Opening Thoughts

Hello and welcome on this weekend morning. This is your all-in-one football live hub, centering on today's major football fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a top-of-the-table Scottish clash sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games plus FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage send us your views telling us how you'll be following today's games. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the headlines even though he was absent in Liverpool's thrilling six-goal thriller at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on manager Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the season.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “This is the third match on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

The other major top-flight development saw the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, coupled with City's straightforward win over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight battle at the top of the standings.

Outside the English football, Lionel Messi once again played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the league championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive midweek draw means he has overseen a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a rematch of last year's cup last-eight tie. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents to nil in their recent away fixtures.

The FA Cup Second Round

The FA Cup round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time in their history.

Additional notable outcomes featured:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on penalties.
• Non-league Buxton led against Cheltenham before eventually enduring a 6-2 loss.

Sunday's FA Cup action includes:

• 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

It appears a trio of distinct mini-leagues forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently contending for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested group includes several big names, all with aspirations for the top five. Will any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to stay up probably concerns several clubs, with Wolverhampton Wanderers looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the battle.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and FA 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)

European Football:

• 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 clear camps to the debate. On one hand, has Salah earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? On the other, is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Views from supporters seems divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' 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 pause to feel sorry for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... Someone hard done by, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were called off on Saturday.

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

There is no confirmation on when either game will be replayed.