🔗 Share this article

Opening Thoughts

Good morning on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive matchday coverage center, highlighting today's major soccer fixtures. England's top division offers intriguing contests featuring the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League games and cup round two drama rounds out the lineup. Feel free to get in touch and let us know your plans for watching the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah commandeered the headlines even though he was absent in the Reds' hectic 3-3 draw at Elland Road. Salah delivered an stunning attack on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “under the bus” after being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. He expressed feeling made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I’m sitting on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I’m very, very disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development saw the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive strike. That result, combined with Manchester City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the table.

Outside the English leagues, 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.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham for an afternoon start. The visitors have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided lots of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon Town thrashed Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport County on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton FC led against Cheltenham Town before eventually suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's cup action includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT start)
• 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. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A incredibly congested group includes Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolves appearing particularly in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the English top flight and FA 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)

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. Has he done enough to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Views from supporters seems divided:

“United fan here. If I’m not mistaken, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a club legend.”

“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He must have overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Many think his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to another European club? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

Two second-tier fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the fan passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also paused and abandoned due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second occasion this season at the ground – made the pitch unplayable.

At this time, there is no confirmation on when these matches will be rescheduled.