Premier League Build-up and Football Association Cup Second Round Latest News and Additional Coverage

Opening Thoughts

Morning everyone to another weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive football coverage center, centering on the day's major football action. The Premier League offers intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a top-of-the-table Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, coupled with Women's Super League action plus FA Cup second round excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage share your thoughts and let us know your plans for watching the action. Here we go.

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 tossing him “to the wolves” following omission from the starting lineup for the third straight match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's poor beginning to the campaign.

“It's unbelievable … I am sat 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.”

Another significant top-flight story was Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's winning goal. This outcome, combined with City's comfortable victory over Sunderland, makes for a very tight race at the summit of the standings.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro once again played the hero for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, beating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls welcome West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of life under the arrival of manager Nuno. A creditable point at Manchester United means he has overseen a run of just one defeat in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last season's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth successive away win in the Premier League, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

The FA Cup second round provided plenty of drama on Saturday. National League South side the Seagulls made history by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Other standout results included:

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

Sunday's FA Cup schedule includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (12.30pm GMT kickoff)
• Boreham Wood v Newport County
• Gateshead v Walsall
• Blackpool v Carlisle United

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be three separate battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight section includes several big names, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any put together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, today'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)

Ongoing Discussion About Liverpool's Star

The reaction from the Liverpool forward's explosive interview rages on. There are two clear camps to the argument. Has he done enough to speak out as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Views from supporters seems split:

“United fan here. If memory serves, 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's probably forgotten that he is currently Liverpool's highest ever earning player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

What next for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Could he move on loan to another European club? Might he accept a lucrative offer and head for Saudi Arabia following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of second-tier matches were called off on Saturday.

• The game between Charlton and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken ill. 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 occasion this season at the ground – rendered the field unsuitable.

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