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Preamble

Morning everyone on this weekend day. This is your comprehensive football coverage center, highlighting today's key football fixtures. The Premier League offers fascinating matches between Brighton & West Ham as well as the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish encounter sees the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside Women's Super League games and cup round two excitement rounds out the lineup. We encourage share your thoughts telling us how you'll be following the action. Without further ado.

Yesterday's Headlines

Liverpool's Egyptian star commandeered the spotlight even though he was absent in the Reds' thrilling 3-3 draw at Elland Road. He launched an remarkable critique on boss Arne Slot, claiming him of tossing him “to the wolves” following being left out the starting lineup for the third consecutive match. The player stated feeling made a scapegoat for the team's disappointing start to the season.

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

Another major top-flight story saw Arsenal's injury-time defeat at Villa Park, courtesy of by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, combined with City's straightforward win over Sunderland, has left a very tight battle at the top of the table.

Outside English football, Lionel Messi as ever wrote the script for his MLS side as they lifted the MLS Cup, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Sunday's Top-Flight Matches

Brighton welcome the Hammers in a 2pm GMT kickoff. The visitors have displayed signs of improvement since the arrival of manager Nuno Espírito Santo. A creditable midweek draw means he has presided over a run of just one defeat in their last five.

Fulham versus Palace is a repeat of last season's FA Cup last-eight tie. The Eagles are aiming for a fourth straight victory on the road in the Premier League, having defeated three opponents to nil in their latest travels.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition round two provided lots of drama yesterday. National League South side the Seagulls created a historic moment by reaching the third round for the first time ever.

Other notable results featured:

• Swindon hammered Bolton Wanderers – a league above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge beat Stockport on penalties.
• Sixth tier Buxton led against Cheltenham before finally suffering a 6-2 defeat.

Sunday's FA Cup schedule includes:

• Slough Town v Macclesfield (early start)
• 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. Championship Contenders: The current leading pack are apparently contending for the championship.
2. The Packed Middle: A incredibly congested section contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with designs on the top five. Can any put together a winning run to challenge the top teams?
3. The Fight for Survival: The dogfight to avoid the drop probably involves Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolves looking particularly vulnerable. Clubs such as Brentford or Fulham could also be sucked into the fight.

Elsewhere in Football

Outside the Premier League and FA Cup, today's fixtures include:

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)

Around the Continent:

• Real Madrid v Celta Vigo (8pm CET)
• Borussia Dortmund v Hoffenheim (4.30pm CET)

The Salah Debate Continues

The reaction from Mohamed Salah's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two distinct sides to the debate. On one hand, has Salah done enough to voice his frustration as a bona fide club icon? On the other, is manager Slot justified in doing whatever it takes to try to win matches?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was the players' player of the year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. Not the way to treat a legend of the club.”

“Perhaps we should pause to have sympathy for Mo Salah? He's probably forgotten 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 relationship with the club may now be damaged. Could he move on loan to a club abroad? Or will he accept a lucrative offer and move to Saudi Arabia following the AFCON?

Matches Abandoned

Two Championship fixtures were abandoned yesterday.

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

At this time, there is no confirmation on when either game will be rescheduled.