Teams: Arsenal v Manchester United
Play in: Premier League v Premier League
Match played at: The Emirates

Nobody will need to be told that this is one of the fixtures of the round, with two Premier League giants (well, one giant and one ex-giant) coming up against each other. Manchester United did well to hold Liverpool to a crucial draw last week, but Arsenal are flying and challenging for the title again. United of course are bidding to retain the FA Cup, having won it last time. Can Ruben Amorim's fallen idols turn it on against Mikel Arteta's Gunners? The smart money would say Arsenal will win, especially with home support, but you just never know.

Eighteen minutes gone and Arsenal thought they had scored first, but it was chalked off for being offside, no VAR to check that, so the decision stood and scoreless it remained, Mainoo coming closest for Man United but straight at the keeper. Chances for both teams then, one of whom had the ball in the net but had the goal disallowed, but nobody had taken the advantage as we headed for the break. Not the most exciting match of the weekend, that's for sure.

Would the second half be any better? Well it couldn't be much worse could it? Raya falling on his arse from the very first kick-out wasn't a good omen, nor was his team giving away the ball, though United didn't do anything with it. Then they did it again, and this time the Cup holders took full advantage as Fernandes opened the scoring. Maybe that would wake Arsenal the fuck up? Kind of: Havertz should have equalised but scooped the ball over the top, wasting a golden opportunity to settle his team down. Poor. Heading into the hour and Manchester United still in front, and another case of a ref not holding the taking of a corner until an injured player was back on the field; seems to be becoming a habit now.

Things began to turn against Man United when they had a man sent off for a second yellow, that one-goal lead going to be very hard to protect now! In fact, it was only minutes after Dalot had walked before Arsenal levelled, Gabriel netting just after the hour mark. The Gunners then missed a chance to go ahead, then United nicked the ball but the missing man told and they were unable to do anything with their possession. A penalty awarded to Arsenal saw tempers flare in the box, and had VAR been in operation it's likely at least one player would have walked, but the ref can't be everywhere at once, so a yellow was all that resulted. Odegard stepped up to take the spot kick  but after all that it was saved! Had the furore just prior put him off? Possibly; the upshot was that it remained 1-1, and that was certainly more to United's advantage than that of Arsenal.

Another great chance went begging as Rice had a free header, but knocked it over the bar, with a little help from the United keeper's fingers. 10 minutes of normal time to go then, and neither team able to settle it, United hanging on despite being a man down. Still, you would have to think that if it went to extra time the extra man would pay dividends for Arsenal. It was in fact United who had the best chance to win it, four minutes from time, with a classic breakaway that almost ended in a goal, and could have seen Arsenal dumped out of the FA Cup by a team with ten men playing, but on the game went, Arsenal missing a gilt-edged opportunity to settle it two minutes from full time.

Seven extra minutes to be played though before we got to the dreaded extra time, Rice almost settling it in the fourth of those minutes but barely squeaked wide, then they gave it away but Raya came out to smother the ball. Offside anyway, but it would have definitely raised a cheer from the United fans had it gone in. For a few seconds anyway, till the flag was raised. As time ticked away, Arsenal got a corner, but too deep.

And so into extra time, another 30 minutes of eleven men against ten, but who would bet against Man United scoring again? Arsenal were certainly squandering their chances and not taking advantage of the extra man. If they lost this, they had only themselves to blame.  No further goals in extra time so it was down to penalties, the extra man no use to Arsenal now as it was a case of man against goalkeeper to settle this, a case either of individual brilliance or catastrophic error, whether on the part of the strikers or the keepers that would decide who would go through. Some great penalty takers on both teams, and one keeper had already stopped a spot kick, so no way to know how this would go.

First up was Man United, and Fernandes technically scored his second goal in the match, opening the penalty count for his team. Never in doubt really. Odegaard was next, to face the man who had already stopped his penalty during the match, but this time he scored, all square after two penalties. Man United's next one went in too, but Arsenal's did not. Advantage United! They scored their next, meaning Arsenal really had to score to keep in with a chance, and Rice made sure they did. 3-2 now to Manchester United. Another penalty converted for the Cup holders put additional pressure on the Gunners, who simply could not afford to miss the next one. They didn't, and remained in the running as United's fifth player strode up to the spot. The ball rippled the net and United took the tie. You'd have to say they deserved it more.


Result: Arsenal 1 - 1 Manchester United (United win 5-4 on penalties)
Scorer(s): Fernandes (MNU); Gabriel (ARS)
Giant killing? N/A





Teams: Exeter City v Oxford United
Play in: League 1 v Championship
Match played at: St. James Park

Oxford United are only five points clear of the relegation zone in the Championship while Exeter sit comfortably mid-table in League 1, so on the face of it this may not be the clash of leagues that it seems. Or, you know, it may be.

Oxford were in fact ahead on 14 minutes, a fine breakaway goal that turned defence into attack, but Exter showed that fighting spirit which saw them beat Chesterfield 2-0 away in the second round, and eight minutes later they were level, then before half-time Mitchell scored again to put the League 1 side ahead before the break. Oxford came close early in the second half but shot wide, then Exeter sealed the victory just after the hour with their third.


Result: Exeter City 3 - 1 Oxford United
Scorer(s): Philips (OXF); Mitchell (2), Harper (EXE)
Giant killing? Yes




Teams: Reading v Burnley
Play in: League 1 v Championship
Match played at: Madejski Stadium

Another match between League 1 and Championship opposition, but Reading will have their work cut out for them, as they face second in the Championship Burnley. Both teams have spent time in the Premier League, so both have the skill and experience to take this; Reading currently sixth in League 1 and on an impressive winning streak, though they struggled against seventh tier Harborough Town to get this far, eventually beating them 5-3. They'll have to be on their "A" game, as the Americans say, this time out.

It took all of the first half and twenty minutes of the second before Burnley were ahead, then all their good work was undone as six minutes later Reading shot literally through the arms of the keeper, who made a total mess of gathering the shot, to allow the teams to draw level. As the match moved into extra time Burnley restored their lead, and went on to make it certain with a third to take the match deep into injury time.

Result: Reading 1 - Burnley 3
Scorer(s): Wing (REA); Foster, Flemming (2) (BUR)
Giant killing? No




Teams: Aston Villa v West Ham United
Play in: Premier League v Premier League
Match played at: Villa Park

Though Villa's form has stuttered of late, at least they're in the top half of the table, if only barely, while West Ham are still struggling in the lower reaches of the other half and have lost their last two matches. Claret and blue v Claret and blue: who will emerge victorious?

Playing under a new manager, Graham Potter's West Ham scored within 9 minutes at Villa Park, but the home side came back strongly to equalise as time began to run out, then Rogers gave them the lead, and the game, the whole match turned around in a five-minute spell of class. Villa march on, West Ham are out.


Result: Aston Villa 2 - 1 West Ham United
Scorer(s): Paqueta (WHU); Onana, Rogers (AST)
Giant killing? N/A


Teams: Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion
Play in: Championship v Premier League
Match played at: Carrow Road

Norwich have known life in the Premier League, and are currently 11th in the Championship, with a good if not perfect win record, while Brighton have entered a period where they don't seem to be able to win a game, and are just on the fringes of the top half of the table.

Nothing happened till eight minutes from the end of the first half when Brighton struck to take the lead, Rutter adding his and Brighton's second before the half-time whistle to put the visitors in control of the game. More of the same, then, in the second half, as the Seagulls went three up on the hour mark, and rounded that victory off with a fourth 16 minutes from time.

Result: Norwich City 0 - 4 Brighton & Hove Albion
Scorer(s): Rutter (2), Enciso, March (BHA)
Giant killing? No




Teams: Manchester City v Salford City
Play in: Premier League v League 2
Match played at: The Etihad

Man City are desperate to get their season back on track, and if they can no longer challenge to retain their title, they will want to avoid going out of the FA Cup this early. It's Manchester against Manchester, with three divisions between them. Who would give Salford City, higher in League 2 than Man City are in the Premier League, a chance? Or could it be a chance for a famous giant killing?

It only took 8 minutes for class to tell, as Man City went ahead through Doku, 20 minutes and it was two, the Premier League team looking unlikely to even have to break a sweat here. Salford came close to halving the deficit near the end of the first half but wide, then Man City made it safe with a third before the half-time whistle. Salford doomed to once again fall at the third round, and when Manchester City had a penalty 5 minutes into the second half, there was no doubting the result as Grealish took their fourth. Not finished yet, and perhaps with something to prove, Man City took a fifth, the game still less than an hour old.

A second penalty may have seemed unfair, but it was handball, and it did result in Man City's sixth goal. Cricket scores, as they say? Well, the Premier League team made it seven, and still 20 minutes to go. With half of that left, it was eight, as McAtee scored his hat-trick to round off what can only be called a pounding of the League 2 side.

Result: Manchester City 8 - 0 Salford City
Scorer(s): Doku (2) of which 1 (p), Mubamba, O'Reilly, Grealish (p), McAtee (3)
Giant killing? No


Teams: Millwall v Dagenham & Redbridge
Play in: Championship v National League
Match played at: The Den

Into the lion's den for one of the lowest-ranked team still left in the competition, as National League side Dagenham & Redbridge, having defeated AFC Wimbledon in a famous giant killing to earn their place in the third round, and a match against feared Millwall away. Can the minnows survive another match in which they will need to punch above their weight and claim a second higher-tier scalp, or is this the end for their FA Cup journey?

Dagenham held the Championship side for half an hour, before Ivanovich opened the scoring for Millwall, literally heading while flat on the ground, having missed the initial rebound. It was however no walkover, and a late late show at the Den as De Norre scored on 70 to double the home side's lead, then five minutes from time Bangura-Williams, substitute on for his debut game for the club, set the seal on it with his first goal and Millwall's third, ensuring they march on to the fourth round, leaving the last National League side in it to face Spurs.

Result: Millwall 3 - 0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Scorer(s): Ivanovic, De Norre, Bangura-Williams (MIL)
Giant killing? No



Teams: Liverpool v Accrington Stanley
Play in: Premier League v League 2
Match played at: Anfield

Surely one of the most mismatched meetings of the round! Will anyone expect Premier League leaders Liverpool to stumble against lowly Accrington, sitting 19th in League 2? Of course, it could happen, but will it? Would you bet on it?

12 minutes saw Liverpool take their first shot on goal, but the Stanley keeper saved it and from the rebound Nunez sent it over the bar, Stanley already hanging on in the face of the red army. Just before the half-hour Liverpool were expectedly ahead through Jota, a fine breakaway goal from defence as they left the Accrington defenders in their wake. Just before the break it was two as Alexander-Arnold shot from distance to make the mountain Stanley had to climb Everest-like in the second half. They had their chances, two corners almost resulting in a goal that would have halved the deficit but smacked off the bar. 14 minutes from time it was all over as Danns scored Liverpool's third to assure them of progression to the fourth round. Chiesa's fourth for the league leaders in the final minute was just the icing on the cake.


Result: Liverpool 4 - 0 Accrington Stanley
Scorer(s): Jota, Alexander-Arnold, Danns, Chiesa (LIV)
Giant killing? No




Teams: Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Play in: Championship v Premier League
Match played at: Ashton Gate

May not be such a difference after all, with Wolves struggling in the relegation zone and Bristol City 8th in the Championship.

Wolves had a glorious chance to open the scoring but the Bristol City keeper made a fantastic save to keep them out, but ten minutes was all the home side could manage before the team from the Black Country scored, to silence the home fans. A second came ten minutes later, Wolves surely delighted to be able to display the skills they have in abundance but which have been letting them down against Premier League opposition. City had a chance to get back into it though when Hwang gave away a free kick just before the break, and the Championship side did not waste the opportunity, Twine scoring to halve the deficit. Not stringing it out then. Sorry.

Wolves only missed making the match safe due to the crossbar, then a penalty appeal for Bristol City was turned down and Wolves stormed forwards again but could only hit the post. Five minutes to go and City were on the attack, determined to equalise and force extra time. They almost made it, too, but it came off the underside of the bar and Wolves hung on for the win to go through to the fourth round.


Result: Bristol City 1 - 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers
Scorer(s): Ait-Nouri, Gomes (WOL); Twine (BRC)
Giant killing? No


Teams: Chelsea v Morecambe
Play in: Premier League v League 2
Match played at: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are on a losing streak at the moment, but even so they are 4th in the Premier League and you would imagine would have no trouble seeing off League 2 relegation-threatened Morecambe and progressing to the fourth round.

15 minutes in and the game came to life as Chelsea got a corner, from which they did not score but were awarded a penalty, while Morecambe believed the ball had gone out of play, but with no VAR to stick its nose in, the ref's decision was the only one, and so penalty for handball was the outcome. Amazingly, the Morecambe keeper pulled off an incredible double save to keep Chelsea out, and perhaps justice was done after all. The Premier League side piled on the pressure, Morecambe's man between the sticks having to be alive to the threat constantly as they tried to get the opening goal, he denying them, but would the pressure tell? Morecambe hadn't even been near the Chelsea goal.

As the half wound down Chelsea got their goal, which had been coming, and the visitors must have expected it. A sharp deflection wrong-footed the otherwise superb Morecambe keeper and he dived despairingly to see the ball hit the back of his net with six minutes of the half to go. Almost another double save in the first five minutes of the second half, but the rebound flashed past the keeper and Chelsea were in control, two to the good.  Twenty minutes from time and it was all over for Morecambe, who only got their first shot on goal near the death, as Chelsea broke away and made it four to progress to the fourth round with ease. A fifth on 77 minutes might have been rubbing it in a little, but Chelsea were showboating in front of their fans now


Result: Chelsea 5 - 0 Morecambe
Scorer(s): Tosin (2), Nkunku, Felix (2) (CHE)
Giant killing? No


Teams: Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers
Play in: Championship v Championship
Match played at: Riverside Stadium

Potentially a very even match, with Blackburn 7th in the Championship and Middlesbrough two places ahead of them at 5th, though neither team has been winning their games lately.

A comedic mix-up between the Middlesbrough keeper and his defenders almost had Blackburn in for the opening goal in the second half, but unexpected as it was, the striker could not settle himself properly and it shot over the bar, saving the keeper's blushes. No such escape when Weimann had his second chance and this time buried it in the Boro net. His goal proved to be the difference between the teams, as Rovers head on into the fourth round.


Result: Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Blackburn Rovers
Scorer(s): Weimann (BLA)
Giant killing? N/A


Teams: Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion
Play in: Premier League v Championship
Match played at: The Vitality Stadium

Bournemouth are flying high in the Premier League at the moment, with victories against Arsenal and Man City, while West Brom sit 6th in the Championship. Could be a hard-fought match!

It was West Brom who took the lead after fourteen minutes from a rebound, but the Cherries came back just before the half-hour and levelled through Kluivert. They then went ahead when Outtara scored twice, his goals ten minutes apart, giving Bournemouth a three-goal lead before the break. In the second half it was all the home team as Semenyo scored two minutes in to give them a comfortable four-goal cushion, Jebbison wrapping up a great performance in extra time, West Brom well beaten.

Result: Bournemouth 5 - 1 West Bromwich Albion
Scorer(s): Kluivert, Outtara (2). Semenyo, Jebbison (BOU); Taylor (WBA)
Giant killing? No




Teams: Tamworth v Tottenham Hotspur
Play in: National League v Premier League
Match played at: The Lamb Ground

Win or lose (most likely lose) Tamworth will benefit from having to face Spurs at their own home ground, filling up the coffers of the Lambs. The only remaining side in the competition from the National League, Tamworth have earned their place in the third round with two giant killings, the last coming only after a penalty shoot-out. But surely facing Spurs will be a bridge too far for the Lambs?

Both teams had their chances to win it but neither managed to get the ball in the net, and so it went to extra time, which has to be a testament to Tamworth, to hold the Premier League side that long. Their resistance was finally broken though 10 minutes into extra time as Spurs managed to break the deadlock, worse for the Lambs as it was one of their own who inadvertently put it into the net. A very unfair way for one of the bright stars of the tournament to exit, but that's football for you. Spurs though wanted to make it certain and Kulesevski's goal on helped make the scoreline look a bit more respectable for Tottenham, while a game which had been so lacking in goals for over 100 minutes suddenly came to life as Johnson scored Spurs' third, giving them a win which somewhat flattered the Premier League team, Tamworth bowing out after a great run.

Result: Tamworth 0 - 3 Tottenham Hotspur
Scorer(s): Tshikuna (og), Kulesevski, Johnson (TOT)
Giant killing? No


Teams: Hull City v Doncaster Rovers
Play in: Championship v League 2
Match played at: MKM Stadium

This however is one where the gulf may indeed be too wide. Or will it? Championship team Hull are barely hanging on there in the relegation zone, whereas Rovers are 8th in League 2. It may balance out.

After what must have been an uneventful first half the League 2 team took the lead six minutes into the second, Molyneaux scoring to put Doncaster ahead. Hull were level ten minutes from the 90 at the second time of asking, all square and heading for extra time. Still level after 30 minutes, we all knew what was coming and Rovers took the penalty shoot out 5-4 to progress on to the fourth round.

Result: Hull City 1 - 1 Doncaster Rovers (Rovers win 5-4 on penalties)
Scorer(s): Molyneaux (DON); Puerta (HUL)
Giant killing? Yes


Teams: Sunderland v Stoke City
Play in: Championship v Championship
Match played at: Stadium of Light

Another all-Championship tie, but quite a difference in the placings of the teams. Sunderland are rampant at 4th place while Stoke City are near the end in 19th.

Stoke took an early lead through a penalty after only four minutes but Sunderland were level just after the hour, to force the game into extra time, during which Stoke raced free and took the tie, progressing to the fourth round and dumping the Black Cats out.

Result: Sunderland 1 - 2 Stoke City
Scorer(s): Cannon (p), Ennis (STO); Aleksic (SUN)
Giant killing? N/A


Teams: Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers
Play in: Premier League v Championship
Match played at: The King Power

A chance for struggling Leicester to try to win some silverware, or to underline how poorly their season is going by exiting in the third round? QPR are 11th in the Championship, so should provide decent opposition, and home advantage may not favour the Foxes, or they may turn it on at the King Power.

Leicester were in a fog, though it's fair to say QPR were too, as a real "pea-souper" descended on the King Power, making it difficult at times to make out the teams. Shades of Christmas, but it was the Foxes who got the present eight minutes in, then ten minutes later they gave away the ball and were punished as QPR levelled. They were quickly back in front though, Mavadidi putting them ahead just after the half-hour and Leicester making it three before the break. QPR weren't done though and came back in extra time at the end of the half to cut Leicester's lead to a single goal, and make the second half much more interesting than it had looked like being.

In the second half the fog began to clear, and Leicester's path to the fourth round became clearer too as they were awarded a penalty for handball, Vardy stepping up to re-establish their four-goal lead. Justin's second on the hour made it five, and as he went in search of his hat-trick it was Faes who hit QPR for six.

Result: Leicester City 6 - 2 Queens Park Rangers
Scorer(s): Justin (2), Mavididi, Buonanotte, Vardy (p), Faes (LEI); Verane, Kelli (QPR)
Giant killing? No



Teams: Brentford v Plymouth Argyle
Play in: Premier League v Championship
Match played at: The G-Tech Community Stadium

Brentford's fortunes have taken a dive recently, so this may be a chance to show the home fans that they still have it, as they face bottom of the Championship Plymouth Argyle.

It was the Championship club who went closest in the first five minutes, but unable to beat the keeper as their new manager-in-waiting watched from the stands, then four minutes later a decent shot almost had Brentford ahead, but the Plymouth keeper equal to it. It was on 17 that Plymouth again just missed opening the scoring as a lovely pass in the box forced the Brentford keeper into a sharp save or his team was down one goal. Plymouth not making it easy for the London side. That was it for the first half, and Argyle kept up the pressure as the second half opened, another shot that could have gone into the net but bounced luckily for him into the Brentford keeper's arms. A second shot ballooned over the bar, then a frantic block was all that stood between Brentford taking the first goal, and possibly the match, with only 14 minutes to go.

Back came the home side, threatening the Plymouth goal but still unable to make the net ripple, time ticking away, the first team to score now surely to take the game. And with 8 minutes of normal time that turned out to be Plymouth, the away fans going mad as their team, destined for relegation to League 1, took the lead against the Premier League high-flyers. Some staunch defending was still needed to keep Brentford out though, but they did, holding on for the win and pulling off a classic giant killing.


Result: Brentford 0 - 1 Plymouth Argyle
Scorer(s): Whitaker (PLY)
Giant killing? Yes




Teams: Coventry City v Sheffield Wednesday
Play in: Championship v Championship
Match played at: Coventry Building Society Arena

Coventry have won the FA Cup once, but that was way back in 1987 when they beat Spurs, and the glory days are far behind them. They take on a team six places above them in the Championship.

Coventry took an early lead from a corner, and held onto that lead till the last moments of the match, when Wednesday won a corner, and from that scored to level the game and force extra time. The home side furious that, once again, as the corner was being taken, the ref would not wait for their injured player to get seen to by the medical staff and so they had to defend the corner with ten men, which proved their undoing. Is this some new directive from the FA, or are refs just being extra-obnoxious about it? Extra time however saw the teams still unable to be separated, and so to the dreaded penalty shootout, which Coventry won 4-3, perhaps feeling justice had been done in a match they should and could have won in normal time.


Result: Coventry City 1 - Sheffield Wednesday 1 (4-3 to Coventry on penalties)
Scorer(s): Kitching (COV); Musaba (WED)
Giant killing? N/A


Teams: Newcastle United v Bromley
Play in: Premier League v League 2
Match played at: St. James Park

Newcastle should surely be the favourites, riding high in the Premiership and playing at home against a League 2 side who are 12th and barely scraped through against National League side Solihull Moors to take their place in the third round.

But...

A giant killing in the wind? Only eight minutes into the game, Bromley took a shock lead against the Magpies at St. James Park, a real rocket from the edge of the area after Barnes had taken a rather ambitious shot, to say the least, which cannoned into the side netting. The League 2 side could have doubled their lead had Imraim's shot been a little better placed. As it was, his fine run ended with the ball whizzing past the far post, a real scare for the Toon. Bromley were to rue that miss as Newcastle came back to equalise eight minutes later, the shot from Miley quite similar to the one scored by the visitors, a real screamer from a long shot. Order restored, Newcastle went about winning the game. Barnes tried again after some great build-up play, but high this time, and a third effort where he passed but the striker missed the ball - but not the post. Ow! Now that looked painful!

A penalty for the home side five minutes into the second half  when Targett was, well, targeted and went down in the area, Gordon converting with the skill of a man who is in fine form this season, giving Newcastle the lead. After that, they weren't letting Bromley back in, and Osula's goal on the hour made it safe for the Magpies, though the man who had won the penalty could have made it four late on, but shot wide. Can we say he was off-Targett? Heh.

Result: Newcastle 3 - 1 Bromley
Scorer(s): Congreve (BRO); Miley, Gordon (p), Osula (NEW)
Giant killing? No


Teams: Everton v Peterborough United
Play in: Premier League v League 1
Match played at: Goodison Park

Everton have a lot to prove, struggling at the lower end of the Premier League and flirting with relegation, while the Posh have not won a single game in their last five and aren't doing so well either, 19th in League 1.

Everton took the field under the cloud of the sudden, but perhaps not unexpected departure of Sean Dyche, but this did not stop them taking the lead at Goodison Park a few minutes before halftime. Peterborough fought hard in the second half but a penalty given away in stoppage time meant Everton, who await the return of David Moyes as their new manager, make it through to the next round. Something to smile about for the Toffees anyway.


Result: Everton 2 - 0 Peterborough United
Scorer(s): Beto, Ndiaye (EVE)
Giant killing? No


Teams: Wycombe Wanderers v Portsmouth
Play in: League 2 v Championship
Match played at: Adams Park

League position may again count for nothing here. Wycombe are second in the table while Portsmouth are struggling to hold on to Championship status in 21st.

Two goals ten minutes either side of each other in the first half sealed the win for Wycombe, as Portsmouth go out at the third round. A major scalp for the Wanderers to take on their way to the next phase of the FA Cup.

Result: Wycombe Wanderers 2 - 0 Portsmouth
Scorer(s): Hanlan, Bradley (WYC)
Giant killing? Yes




Teams: Birmingham City v Lincoln City
Play in: League 1 v League 1
Match played at: St. Andrew's

Lincoln had a hard-fought match against Crawley Town, the home side going two up before the Imps came back to take the match 4-3, but there's an eleven-place and over twenty point gap between them and Birmingham, sitting top of League 1. They'll need help from the Devil again if they're to make it past the champions and into the fourth round.

The fastest-ever goal scored in the FA Cup? In the third round, surely, at least. Maybe I'll check. Maybe I won't bother. But either way, thirty-two seconds has got to be some sort of a record, as Birmingham made the earliest of early starts at St. Andrew's. Surprisingly perhaps, Lincoln held on till 13 minutes from the end, when the home side made it certain with their second. Even a late late penalty in the last minute of normal time for the Imps couldn't change the outcome, and Birmingham march on into the fourth round.


Result: Birmingham City 2 - 1 Lincoln City
Scorer(s): Yokoyama, Dykes (BIR); Makama (p) (LIN)
Giant killing? N/A


Teams: Leeds United v Harrogate Town
Play in: Championship v League 2
Match played at: Elland Road

Top of the Championship and ready for a return to the Premier League, Leeds should easily be able to see off League 2 Harrogate, who fought hard against Wrexham and Gainsborough Trinity to secure their place. This could be the end of their run though.

Harrogate could have had a penalty in the first 13 minutes but the ref said no when one of their men was brought down in the box, and no VAR to double-check, so perhaps Leeds were lucky there. In the closing minutes of the half they came close to opening the scoring, but the Harrogate keeper beaten, the post stopped it, so scoreless at the break, perhaps to everyone's surprise, the fans more than a little disgruntled: there are after all 68 places separating these two sides! Ten minutes into the second half Leeds tried to take the game by the scruff, the shot just clipping the crossbar, then they were lucky not to go behind when Harrogate had a chance.

On the hour Leeds finally put it in the back of the net, but could they hold on, or even extend that lead? No pun intended. 9 minutes to go, the Leeds keeper fluffed the ball but was lucky not to face a Harrogate shot, while the home side tried to get their second but were unable to beat the keeper, the one goal enough in the end to allow the Championship table-toppers to go through to the next round.

Result: Leeds 1 - 0 Harrogate
Scorer(s): Ramazami (LEE)
Giant killing? No


Teams: Nottingham Forest v Luton Town
Play in: Premier League v Championship
Match played at: The City Ground

Couldn't give much for struggling Luton's chances against suddenly-title-challenging Forest here. The Nottinghamshire team are on fire recently, surprising everyone and surely making the fastest and most amazing progress since their promotion since Leicester started bottom of the table in 2015 and historically won the title at the end of the season. Luton's fortunes have crashed badly, having been promoted out of the Championship last season, to now find themselves back there and facing relegation.

No surprise to anyone to see Forest take an early lead through Yates, and add a second to that with 22 minutes of normal time to go. Wouldn't have mattered, really, had there been 122 minutes: Luton got nowhere near the ball and Forest march on into the fourth round.

Result: Nottingham Forest 2 - 0 Luton Town
Scorer(s): Yates, Sosa (FOR)
Giant killing? No


Teams: Sheffield United v Cardiff City
Play in: Championship v Championship
Match played at: Bramall Lane

Bottom of the Championship, Cardiff won't fancy their chances against the Blades, riding high in third and heading for promotion to the Premier League next season.


Again, but...

The other Sheffield team had the same result as their cousins from the Steel City, as Cardiff breezed past them to score in the 19th minute, the Blades unable to provide a reply and the Welsh side marching on into the fourth round, leaving Sheffield with no representative now in the FA Cup.

Result: Sheffield United 0 - 1 Cardiff City
Scorer(s): Ashford (CAR)
Giant killing? N/A




Teams: Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers
Play in: Premier League v League 1
Match played at: Portman Road

Another team floundering in the relegation zone, Ipswich may find it a tougher match than they anticipate against Bristol Rovers, who took a penalty shootout against Barnsley to book their place in the third round.

Ipswich had an early chance to go ahead from a corner, but flicked over the bar, then the home side denied a penalty for what looked like a blatant trip in the box; didn't look like it was going to be Town's day! Some pinball then from another corner gave the Tractor Boys another chance to open the scoring, but the keeper gathered it. Ipswich getting closer though, Rovers without a shot on goal yet. They'd hardly even been down the opposition end. An unmarked Philips was able to pick his spot and take the first goal for Ipswich, Clarke making it two when the Ipswich pressure just proved overwhelming for Bristol Rovers.

Ipswich just cut through the Rovers defenders for their third, the ball literally rolled past them and slotted into the net. But offside. But the ref didn't catch it, and with no VAR to say otherwise or make him go to a screen that wasn't there, the goal stood. Ipswich on the treble, Rovers furious but unable to do anything about it. Showing perhaps why they're doing so badly in the Premier League, the Ipswich keeper passed sloppily to a Bristol player, who was, luckily for the home side, unable to make it count. But an example of how a three-goal lead could very easily have turned into a two-goal one against better opposition. Still, luck was with the team stuck in relegation, and they got a penalty late on when handball was the verdict, though it looked harsh. Honestly, how the ref could give that and miss the offside is a conversation that needs to be had. In the end justice of a sort was done as the spot kick was, frankly, terrible, the Rovers keeper hardly even having to work to stop it as the shot was sent well wide. Awful penalty.

In fact, Rovers almost got one of their own, the player straight through but kept out by a defender. Ipswich tried for a fourth, but it wasn't to be, and three will do it for them, one of their best results surely this year, and one that takes them into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Result: Ipswich Town 3 - 0 Bristol Rovers
Scorer(s): Philips, Clarke, Taylor  (IPS)
Giant killing? No


Teams: Fulham v Watford
Play in: Premier League v Championship
Match played at: Craven Cottage

A league apart, literally, both teams occupy the same place in their respective tables, 9th, so this could be an interesting one.

Fulham took the lead just before the half-hour but Watford stormed back seven minutes later to set up an intriguing second half. A penalty for Fulham five minutes in allowed Jiminez to restore their lead, and they added a third just after the hour before making it safe with a fourth five minutes from time.


Result: Fulham 4 - 0 Watford
Scorer(s): Vata (WAT)' Muniz, Jiminez, Andersen, Castagne (FUL)
Giant killing? No


Teams: Crystal Palace v Stockport County
Play in: Premier League v League 1
Match played at: Selhurst Park

Palace are moving away from the relegation zone in the Premier League, but County are 7th in League 1 so it may be a harder match for the Premier League side than they imagine.

A single goal was all that was required in the end for Palace to progress, and they got it in the fourth minute, when Eze shot past the County keeper. Stockport had not managed a single touch of the ball up to then, and unbelievably the visitors had EIGHT men in the box (I counted) but not a single one could stop the Palace striker's shot. They went about making up for that, and indeed came close to doing so after seven minutes, the defender nicking the ball off Wooton's toe. Stockport kept up the pressure, and it began to look like Palace's lead was getting shakier as Bailey shot straight at the keeper.

County could not be faulted for their effort, but their finishing needed some work as they constantly shot wide, over or at the keeper. Palace then had a great opportunity to double their lead just before half-time, but the keeper saved it and Munoz unable to profit from the punch that sent the ball his way. A header was again right at the keeper, as Palace fought to go 2-0 in before the break, then it could all have gone wrong as County robbed the ball from Palace in their own area, again the finish just not there. A long throw gave the home side the chance once again to extend their lead, but over the top this time, Stockport not giving up as they charged forward again, and this time it was the visitors who were relieved of the ball, Lerma missing a gilt-edged opportunity to wrap it up for his side, but again, showing that neither team were that great in the box, over the bar it went. With time ticking away Palace had yet another chance, this time saved by the keeper, but in the end the single goal did it and the London team move on into the fourth round.

Result: Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Stockport County
Scorer(s): Eze (PAL)
Giant killing? No



That leaves us with three games which were postponed from the weekend (presumably due to the fog?) and were played tonight. I haven't had a chance to see reports on these yet, so I'll probably do them later and upload them tomorrow. The remaining fixtures were:

Leyton Orient v Derby County
Mansfield Town v Wigan Athletic
Preston North End v Charlton Athletic



And here they are, in order.


Teams: Leyton Orient v Derby County
Play in: League 1 v Championship
Match played at: Brisbane Road

Leyton Orient would have to be thanking their lucky stars, in a very real way, to be here at all. You may remember they only equalised against Oldham Athletic in the previous round by virtue of their goalkeeper scoring, and then Oldham had a penalty turned down near the end which would have won it for them, knocking Orient out. But it was in the end the League 1 side who scored to go through. Now they face Derby County, whose fortunes  in the Championship appear to have taken something of a dive, leaving them just four points from relegation. Still, it's Championship opposition, so they may need the footballing gods to be smiling upon them again!

And perhaps they were, as Orient scored first to give themselves the advantage at home, Derby trying to come back quickly but shooting straight at the keeper, but pressure told four minutes later, and at the second time of asking it was the Leyton Orient net that rippled, all square before the break. The home side tried to restore their lead but the ball sailed just over the net, Derby with ideas of their own of progressing to the fourth round, but the keeper was down to save it. More pressure coming now from the visitors, as another shot hit the bar, but no breakthrough for either team, and so into extra time the match went.

Things began to fall apart for Orient in the second half of extra time as they had a man sent off for a second yellow. Could the Championship team capitalise on the extra man advantage and win the game? Well, almost, but again the net failed to bulge as this time the shot went just a whisker wide of the far post.

Nothing then to separate the teams after thirty minutes of extra time, and it was another penalty shoot-out. Derby were the first to blink, missing their sixth spot kick, leaving Orient needing to convert their next to take it. They did, and it's the League 1 team who go through to the fourth round.

Result: Leyton Orient 1 - 1 Derby County (Orient win 6-5 on penalties)
Scorer(s): Kelman (LEY); Brown (DER)
Giant killing? Yes


Teams: Mansfield Town v Wigan Athletic
Play in: League 1 v League 1
Match played at: Field Mill

9th plays 17th in an all-League 1 clash, could go either way. Mansfield secured their place in the third round by beating Stevenage by a single goal, while Wigan scored late to send their match against Cambridge United into extra time, then took it when they were awarded a penalty.

Mansfield had their chances but couldn't take them, but were doing all right up to the half-time whistle. Their luck seemed to have run out though three minutes in as Wigan broke away to score a fine headed goal and take the lead. A touch of the "twilight of the gods" for the home side as Aasgaard scored both Wigan's goals, the second only six minutes later, to put them comfortably through into the fourth round. Manchester City have their Norwegian goal machine, so it seems do Wigan, the striker's tenth of the season slamming into the back of the Mansfield net. In fact, it could easily have been three, but this shot was saved, and then Mansfield hared (or, if you prefer, stagged) up the pitch and almost grabbed one back late on, but the Wigan keeper, who hadn't been all that busy, truth to tell, during the match, came alive and smothered the ball, keeping Wigan's clean sheet.


Result: Mansfield Town 0 - 2 Wigan Athletic
Scorer(s): Aasgaard (2) (WIG)
Giant killing? N/A


Teams: Preston North End v Charlton Athletic
Play in: Championship v League 1
Match played at: Deepdale

Apart from league, fairly evenly matched, with Charlton 11th in League 1 and Preston North End 15th in the Championship. The London club sailed through against Walsall in the second round, beating them 4-0, but this may prove a tougher match.

The League 1 side had the better of the early chances, but the Preston keeper equal to their efforts, then when his opposite number made a mess of a poor back pass Osmaiic was on hand to tap it past him for Preston's first, just a half-hour gone in the match. Charlton were quick to respond though, Berry netting eight minutes later for them to equalise and, perhaps, do something to spare his keeper's blushes. All square at the break then. In the second half there were chances aplenty, and two came from corners. Had Charlton's gone in then things might have been different, but it was blocked and when the home side had their chance from a corner down the other end, it was Osmaiic again who made it count, regaining the lead for his team. Only two minutes into the second half and the home side had the advantage. An acrobatic shot by Charlton could have had them level again and forced extra time, but it sailed high over the bar, a chance missed certainly, and one they would rue, as Preston went on to take the game and knock Charlton out of the fourth round.


Result: Preston North End 2 - 1 Charlton Athletic
Scorer(s): Osmaiic (2) (PRE); Berry (CHA)
Giant killing? No




Let's have a look then and see who's been knocked out at the third round stage.
Premier League
Arsenal
Brentford
West Ham

Championship
Bristol City
Derby County
Hull City
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Norwich City
Oxford United
Portsmouth
Queens Park Rangers
Sheffield United
Sheffield Wednesday
Sunderland
Swansea City
Watford
West Bromwich Albion

League 1
Bristol Rovers
Charlton Athletic
Lincoln City
Mansfield Town
Peterborough United
Reading
Stockport County

League 2
Accrington Stanley
Bromley
Harrogate Town
Morecambe
Salford City

National League
Dagenham & Redbridge
Tamworth

Sad to see both the National League teams go out, but they were drawn against far superior opposition, and did well to get as far as they did. They didn't make it easy for their final opponents either, Tamworth taking Spurs to extra time before they were soundly beaten, Dagenham could walk out of the Den with their heads held high.

Some lower-ranked teams did come out on top though. Let's check in on the giant killings this round.

League 1 side Exeter City beat Championship team Oxford United, to take their place in the fourth round. On the face of it, not the biggest giant killing, as Oxford are barely hanging on there in the relegation zone, but still a great achievement for the team from the lower tier.

Also League 1 v Championship, Leyton Orient had a thrilling penalty shootout against Derby County, coming out on top. Again, though, they were facing a team struggling with relegation in the Championship. Take nothing from them though: Leicester are mired in the drop zone in the Premier League and still won their game, as did Ipswich and Wolves, so kudos to Orient.

After scoring first, League 2 team Doncaster Rovers saw Championship side Hull City come back at the death to force extra time and penalties, which Rovers won to advance to the next round. Again though it must be said, Hull are also in a relegation dogfight. Again, take nothing from Doncaster's famous victory.

Perhaps the biggest scalp taken though was Premier League team Brentford, who fell to Championship Plymouth Argyle, just the one goal in it. And to be entirely equitable, this time it was a team bottom of the Championship who beat a mid-table one from the Premier League.

Second from top of League 2, Wycombe Wanderers beat another team ranked low in the Championship as they took Portsmouth to progress.





Last thing to do then for now is look at the draw for the fourth round.
And here it is.


Sad to see that it's almost exclusively Premier League and Championship teams left in it, with just five from League 1 and a single representative of League 2. Yellow indicates a giant killing in the third round.

In order as they are on the table then:
Man United v Leicester: once upon a time this would have been a done deal, Leicester falling to the red wave, but though United have pride to play for, being the Cup holders from last year, you wouldn't really bet on them getting past the Foxes, even at home.

Leeds v Millwall: Bound to be a nasty, dirty match. Both teams have history with each other and Elland Road doesn't take kindly to opposing teams, but they didn't play very well this time and were lucky really not to have gone out, so who knows?

Brighton v Chelsea: Another all-Premier League tie, but with the Seagulls at home they may very well have the advantage against a Chelsea side who have somewhat lost their way in the league.

Preston North End v Wycombe Wanderers: Can the League 1 side progress past Championship opposition to make it into the fifth round? They've done very well so far, but away from home it may be a different story.

Exeter City v Nottingham Forest: Another League 1 side who will have home advantage, but will that really matter against a rampant Forest side who are suddenly, and very unexpectedly, challenging for the Premier League title?

Coventry City v Ipswich Town: Though this is Championship v Premier League, and though Ipswich did well against Bristol Rovers, can they turn it on again against the once-winners of the Cup? They had the advantage of having their fans behind them this time, next time it will be away.

Blackburn Rovers v Wolves: Another struggling Premier League team, playing away will they be able to hold Championship side Blackburn, who are in seventh place while Wolves hang on to the bottom rungs of the Premier League? They had a hard enough time against the eighth-placed team, Bristol City, now they're going to be facing a team one place above them. Will it be too much for Vitor Pereria's side?

Wigan Athletic v Fulham: Wigan have been in the Premier League before, and may very well have faced Fulham there, I don't know. But now they're in League 1 and while they breezed past higher-placed opposition in their own league, they'll be up against a Premier League team making waves.

Birmingham City v Newcastle United: Eddie Howe's team are charging up the table, even being spoken of as challengers for the Premier League title, so while Birmingham are top of League 1, that's still a hell of a gulf, even with home advantage. Could be one of the ties of the round.

Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool: The Championship team has already beaten one Premier League team, but that was Brentford. Even at home they're going to find the league leaders a tougher proposition.

Everton v Bournemouth: An all-Premier League meeting, can the new boss (same as the old boss, if a few seasons back) encourage his team to rise to the occasion, or will the Cherries batter them?

Aston Villa v Tottenham Hotspur: Spurs had a hard time against Tamworth, and Villa were kind of lucky against West Ham, so hard to say which way this will go, but another all-Premier League tie, and Villa have home advantage, which may count for something.

Southampton v Burnley: The Championship team may not find it easy against the Saints, who, though at the very foot of the Premier League, easily saw off Swansea. However they are 12th in the Championship while Burnley are second, so this could be where the Saints go marching out.

Leyton Orient v Manchester City: The Premier League team made a statement victory, scoring the highest number of goals in the FA Cup this year. Orient will have to be on top of their game, even at home, to get past the ex-Premier League champions.

Doncaster Rovers v Crystal Palace: The sole remaining League 2 team will have a hard game against Palace, who have successfully avoided the relegation zone and now look safe in the Premier League.

Stoke City v Cardiff City: The only other all-Championship tie, two of the bottom teams meet and who knows how it may go?