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Preamble

Hello and welcome on this weekend day. We bring you your comprehensive matchday live hub, highlighting the day's major soccer fixtures. England's top division offers fascinating contests between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. On top of that, a crucial Scottish clash between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL games and FA Cup round two excitement rounds out the schedule. We encourage get in touch and let us know your plans for watching today's games. Without further ado.

Major Stories from Saturday

Mohamed Salah commandeered the spotlight despite was absent in Liverpool's thrilling 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an astonishing critique on manager the Dutch coach, accusing him of tossing him “to the wolves” after omission from the first eleven for the third straight game. The player stated feeling singled out for blame for the club's poor start to the campaign.

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

The other major top-flight story was the Gunners' last-gasp loss at Aston Villa, sealed by Emi Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with Manchester City's straightforward victory over Sunderland, has left a incredibly close race at the summit of the standings.

Outside English leagues, the Argentine maestro as ever played the hero for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton host the Hammers for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the arrival of head coach Nuno Espírito Santo. An impressive point at Manchester United means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last year's FA Cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten three opponents to nil in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two delivered plenty of excitement on Saturday. Sixth-tier side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the next round for the first time in their history.

Other standout outcomes included:

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

Today's cup schedule features:

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

The Premier League's Three Tiers

It appears three distinct battlegroups forming in this campaign's Premier League.

1. The Title Race: The current leading pack are seemingly contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group includes several big names, all with designs on the European places. Will any put together a winning run to threaten the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop probably concerns several clubs, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be dragged into the fight.

Other Matches Today

Outside the English top flight and FA Cup, today's fixtures include:

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)

Around the Continent:

• 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 comments continues. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. Has he earned the right to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? Or is boss Arne Slot right in doing whatever it takes to try to win games?

Views from supporters appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA 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 pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably overlooked that he is currently Liverpool's best-paid player... A victim, Mo, you are not.”

The big question for the Egyptian king, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be damaged. Could he seek a loan to a club abroad? Or will he take the pay day and move to the Saudi Pro League following the AFCON?

Sad News from the Championship

A pair of Championship fixtures were abandoned on Saturday.

• The match between Charlton and Pompey at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a fan was taken ill. It was later confirmed the fan died in hospital.
• Blackburn's game against Sheffield Wednesday was also stopped and called off due to a waterlogged playing surface at Ewood Park. Heavy rain – for the second time this season at the ground – rendered the pitch unsuitable.

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