Premier League Preview and Football Association Cup Second Round Developments plus Additional Coverage

Opening Thoughts

Good morning to another weekend day. This is your all-in-one football coverage hub, highlighting the day's key soccer fixtures. The Premier League presents intriguing matches between the Seagulls and the Hammers and the Cottagers and the Eagles. Additionally, a crucial Scottish Premiership encounter between the Hoops and the Jambos, alongside WSL action plus cup round two drama completes the lineup. As always share your thoughts and let us know how you'll be following the action. Let's get into it.

Yesterday's Headlines

Mohamed Salah grabbed the headlines despite did not play in Liverpool's hectic 3-3 draw at Leeds United. He launched an remarkable critique on manager the Dutch coach, claiming him of throwing him “to the wolves” following being left out the first eleven for the third straight game. He expressed that he felt 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 stated. “This is the third match on the bench, perhaps for the first occasion in my professional life. I am extremely disappointed.”

Another major top-flight development was the Gunners' last-gasp defeat at Villa Park, sealed by Emiliano Buendía's decisive goal. This outcome, coupled with City's comfortable victory over the Black Cats, has left a very tight race at the top of the standings.

Outside English football, the Argentine maestro once again wrote the script for Inter Miami as they triumphed the league championship, defeating Vancouver Whitecaps 3-1 in the final.

Today's Premier League Fixtures

The Seagulls host West Ham for an 2pm GMT kickoff. West Ham have shown flickers of improvement under the appointment 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 against Crystal Palace is a rematch of last year's cup quarter-final. The Eagles are eyeing a fourth straight away win in the league, having beaten Burnley, Wolves and Liverpool without conceding in their recent away fixtures.

Cup Action Continues

England's famous cup competition second round provided plenty of excitement yesterday. National League South side Weston-super-Mare made history by advancing to the third round for the first time ever.

Additional notable results included:

• Swindon Town hammered Bolton Wanderers – a division above them – 4-0.
• Cambridge United beat Stockport on spot-kicks.
• Sixth tier Buxton were ahead against Cheltenham Town before finally enduring a 6-2 defeat.

Today's FA Cup action features:

• 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 a trio of separate battlegroups developing in this season's top flight.

1. The Title Race: Arsenal, Manchester City and Aston Villa are apparently vying for the top prize.
2. The Packed Middle: A very tight group contains Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Newcastle and Manchester United, all with aspirations for the European places. Can any string together a consistent form to challenge the elite?
3. The Fight for Survival: The scrap to avoid the drop likely concerns Leeds, Nottingham Forest, Burnley and West Ham, with Wolverhampton Wanderers appearing especially in trouble. Clubs such as others could also be sucked into the battle.

Other Matches Today

Away from the English top flight and domestic cup, today's schedule feature:

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)

The Salah Debate Continues

The fallout from the Liverpool forward's comments rages on. Opinion is split into two clear camps to the argument. Has he earned the right to speak out as a true Liverpool legend? Or is manager Slot right in doing whatever it takes to attempt to win games?

Fan opinion appears divided:

“As a Manchester United supporter. If memory serves, Salah was PFA Player of the Year 6 months ago and now he’s chief scapegoat. This is no way to treat a club legend.”

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

What next for Mo Salah, then? Speculation suggests his bridges at Liverpool may now be burned. Will he seek a loan to a club abroad? Might he take the pay day and move to Saudi Arabia after the Africa Cup of Nations?

Matches Abandoned

A pair of second-tier matches were called off yesterday.

• The game between Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth at The Valley was halted in the 12th minute after a supporter was taken unwell. It was later announced the supporter passed away in hospital.
• Blackburn'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.

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