The FA Cup third round always produces some absolute classics, and this years was no different, with plenty of upsets, goals and controversy. Let’s take a look at the key games from over the weekend.
Manchester United’s win over Aston Villa on Monday night was the final game of the third round, and it was marred in VAR controversy.
Manchester United 1-0 Aston Villa
Manchester United saw off Aston Villa by just one goal, with Scott McTominay’s early header from a delightful cross from Fred enough to seal the win.
However, many feel that the Red Devils did not deserve the win, with Aston Villa having two goals ruled out by VAR, with one rather controversial. It was believed that Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey had fouled Edinson Cavani in the build up to Danny Ings’ goal, but replays suggest it was a particularly harsh decision. VAR looked at three separate incidents in the goal before ruling it out, which has caused plenty of uproar online.
Ralf Rangnick’s side held on for the win, and set up a home tie against Middlesbrough in the fourth round. Aston Villa and Manchester United face each other once again in the Premier League on Saturday. Villa will be looking for revenge and attempting a league double over their opponents.
Newcastle United 0-1 Cambridge United
Surely the biggest upset of the third round, League One Cambridge United made the long trip up to St James’ Park to see their side face Newcastle United, with low expectations facing the richest club in the world in their own backyard.
However, that wasn’t the case on the pitch, Newcastle had two goals rightly ruled out for offside either side of half time, before 10 minutes into the second half after Fabian Schar’s headed clearance only got as far as the feet of Joe Ironside who did a 180 degree turn to bundle the ball into the net, and give the visitors an unexpected lead. A lengthy VAR review took place to see if there was an offside, but Magpies midfielder Jonjo Shelvey’s touch on the pass meant the goal could be given.
The U’s had the ball in the net once more via Jack Lankester, following some delightful team build up play, but it was offside. Mark Bonner’s men managed to hold on to the win, with the help of some incredible goalkeeping from Dimitar Mitov, who made a remarkable save from Joelinton’s header in the final seconds of the game to hold on to the lead.
It was also a nightmare debut for Kieran Trippier, who had just signed from Atletico Madrid. The Cambridge fans did their best to make it a hostile atmosphere for the 31 year old, who is Newcastle’s first signing under their new ownership.
Newcastle’s poorness does not overshadow Cambridge’s brilliance however, a famous day in the history of the club, and a result that goes down as one of the biggest shocks in recent FA Cup history.
Cambridge will host Luton Town in the fourth round.
Kidderminster Harriers 2-1 Reading
A strong contender for biggest upset of the third round, with Kidderminster all the way down in the sixth tier of English football, and Reading up in the second. George Puscas put the visitors ahead just before half time, however the second half was all about Kidderminster.
Sam Austin bagged an equaliser with 20 minutes to go, with some poor goalkeeping from Reading’s Rafael Cabral, before 12 minutes later, Amari Morgan-Smith bundled the ball past the Reading keeper and gave the hosts a shock lead.
Kidderminster managed to hold on to see out a famous win, to set up a home tie with Premier League West Ham in the fourth round, an even bigger game for Russell Penn’s side.
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Arsenal
Four years on from Nottingham Forest’s famous 4-2 third round win over Arsenal, they managed to repeat history with Lewis Grabban netting the only goal of the game in the 83rd minute to gift Forest the win.
The win sees Forest set up an East Midlands derby with Leicester City, the holders of the competition, where they’ll be looking to cause yet another upset.
Best of the rest.
Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham all sealed wins against lower division sides, with Tottenham suffering a slight scare, and had to resort to brining on Harry Kane and Lucas Moura to bag the goals late on and get the win.
Crystal Palace came back from 1-0 down to beat Milwall 2-1, with Michael Olise running the show, with a delightful goal and assist, to turn the game around and set up a comfortable home tie against Hartlepool United in the fourth round.
West Ham and Leicester City both saw out comfortable wins against Leeds United and Watford respectively. As well as Wolves claiming a 3-0 win against Championship Sheffield United, with Daniel Podence netting a brace.
Rafa Benitez’s Everton needed extra time to beat Hull City, who scored in the first minute of the game to keep Everton on their toes for the full 120 minutes. Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo netted a hat trick as the Bees eased past Port Vale.
A very exciting third round as per usual, and we’ll be hoping for just as much entertainment in the fourth round, which takes place over the first weekend of February.
Here is the FA Cup fourth round draw in full:
Crystal Palace v Hartlepool United
Bournemouth v Boreham Wood
Huddersfield Town v Barnsley
Peterborough United v Queens Park Rangers
Cambridge United v Luton Town
Southampton v Coventry City
Chelsea v Plymouth Argyle
Everton v Brentford
Kidderminster Harriers v West Ham United
Manchester United v Middlesbrough
Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton and Hove Albion
Liverpool v Cardiff City
Stoke City v Wigan Athletic
Nottingham Forest v Leicester City
Manchester City v Fulham
Wolverhampton Wanderers v Norwich City
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