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Introduction

Morning everyone on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive football live center, highlighting today's major football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating contests featuring Brighton & West Ham and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League action and cup round two drama completes the lineup. Feel free to get in touch and let us know how you'll be following the action. Here we go.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah stole the spotlight even though he not featuring in the Reds' thrilling six-goal thriller at Leeds United. Salah delivered an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” after omission from the starting lineup for the third straight game. He expressed that he felt made a scapegoat for the club's disappointing start to the campaign.

“I can’t believe … I am sat on the bench for 90 minutes,” Salah reportedly said. “The third time on the bench, I think for the first time in my career. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight story saw Arsenal's last-gasp defeat at Aston Villa, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with Manchester City's straightforward victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight battle at the summit of the standings.

Away from English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they triumphed the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the showpiece.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham in a 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have displayed signs of life since the appointment of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of only one loss in five games.

Fulham against Crystal Palace is a repeat of last year's cup quarter-final. Crystal Palace are eyeing a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having beaten three opponents without conceding in their latest travels.

The FA Cup Second Round

England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of drama yesterday. Sixth-tier side the Seagulls created a historic moment by advancing to the next round for the first time ever.

Other standout results featured:

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

Today's cup schedule features:

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

Developing Mini-Leagues

There seems to be a trio of separate battlegroups developing in this campaign's top flight.

1. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are seemingly vying for the top prize.
2. The Mid-Table Scramble: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a winning run to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely involves several clubs, with Wolves looking especially vulnerable. Teams like others could also be dragged into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the English top flight and domestic 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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from Mohamed Salah's comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the argument. Has he done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide Liverpool legend? Or is manager Arne Slot justified in doing what he believes is necessary to attempt to win games?

Fan opinion appears split:

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

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

The big question for Mo Salah, then? Many think his relationship with the club may now be burned. Will he move on loan to another European club? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and head for the Saudi Pro League following the Africa Cup of Nations?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of second-tier fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

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

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