FA Cup Third Round: Thrills, Thrashings and Frustration

Classic cup finals under the Wembley arches. Giant-killings of the greatest proportions. Incredible goals and extraordinary sporting stories. These are just some of the things that make the FA Cup, football’s oldest competition, so special.

Still going strong after 153 years, the third round of the competition can mean so much to so many teams further down the pyramid, offering opportunities to punch well above their weight against elite opposition. However, in recent seasons, the removal of 2 key traditions from the competition have lessened the allure of the world famous, ‘big-eared’ trophy.

In the past two iterations of the tournament, the opening matches of the third round have been hosted on a Thursday evening, rather than primetime on Saturday afternoon. Coincidentally, Everton have been involved in both of these ties – this year against Peterborough United, who issued a statement airing their frustrations about the unusual 7:45pm kick-off at Goodison Park.

The FA’s disregard for lower league sides in such an inclusive competition has damaged the prestige of the cup

The club appealed to the Football Association to reverse the decision, contending that a lack of appropriate public transport and the weekday commitments of fans would prevent them from selling tickets, even with high demand. Everton still recorded an above-average home attendance on the night, beating the visitors 2-0 in their first game without Sean Dyche. Nevertheless, the FA’s disregard for lower league sides in such an inclusive competition has damaged the prestige of the cup at all levels of English football.

Replays in all rounds of the competition were also scrapped for this season, the effects of which were felt most acutely in round 3 by plucky National League outfit Tamworth. The Staffordshire side, who were playing in the seventh tier in 2023, held a struggling Spurs to 0-0 within normal time, before succumbing to the persistence of Son and Co. in a heartbreaking half hour. Last season, a money-spinning replay at Tottenham’s 62-thousand-seater stadium would have been more than deserved.

All in all, the third round offered little in the way of upsets, as 17 out of 20 Premier League sides progressed. Manchester City offered the highest scoreline of the weekend, with a generous helping of 8 goals against next-door neighbours Salford. Liverpool will travel to the West Country to face Plymouth Argyle in the next round, after the latter dismissed Brentford with a shock win.

Image: The Boar/ Jack Kingston

It was all action at the CBS Arena on Saturday evening, as Coventry City beat fellow Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in late penalty shootout drama. After taking an early lead, the Sky Blues were pegged back by a scrappy equaliser in the 93rd minute, sending a 5000-strong away end into hysterics. The hosts would have the last laugh, as substitute Norman Bassette dispatched from the spot to set up another home tie with Ipswich Town in February.

The prize game of the round was undoubtedly the televised clash between Arsenal and Manchester United, which had all the makings of a cup classic. United took a lead through Fernandes, but soon lost Dalot to a 2nd yellow – Arsenal equalised moments later. The Red Devils held out with the scores level, despite some huge chances for Kai Havertz, and ultimately progressed through spot-kicks, much to the dismay of the Gunners faithful.

The fourth round draw is uninteresting to the neutral, but does cough up one big clash

Just 4 teams outside of the top 2 divisions remain in the competition, with Doncaster Rovers the sole survivor from League Two. No non-league sides remain, meaning a reprise of Maidstone United’s heroics, who advanced all the way to the last 16 last year, is impossible. The fourth round draw is uninteresting to the neutral, but does cough up one big clash between Aston Villa and Tottenham, as well as a visit by Manchester City to League One club Leyton Orient.

Once the most coveted accolade in English football, the modern FA cup is a shadow of its former self. Or is it really? Fan frustration and fixture fix-ups aside, one thing is for certain: the 2 sides which make it to this year’s final, whether they be past winners or new challengers, will be as desperate as ever to take the trophy home on the day.