The Third Round Round of the FA Cup is one of the footballing calendar’s highlights. Thirty-two matches from across the entire spectrum of English football, from non-league to top tier, what a treat.
It’s a competition that remains iconic, but as the riches of the Premier League have increased over the last decade, it’s one that might be considered to have lost its lustre.
For me, though, as a neutral when it comes to English football, it remains a trophy that captures the imagination and provides the football season with some iconic moments.
It’s a trophy every football fan wants to win, whether you are a regular at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium or have a season ticket at Sutton United. For clubs who dare to dream, it could be the defining tournament of their entire campaign.
Here are FIVE things from the weekend’s FA Cup action that prove it’s still magic…
The cup upset is still a thing
There’s nothing better than an FA Cup Third Round upset. Three Premier League sides fell to lower league opposition on Saturday; Bournemouth, Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion.
For clubs like Derby County, whom Darren Bent helped to a 2-1 win over the Baggies, it’s a chance to relive some of the glory days and dream of lifting the big cup once again.
Bent rolled back the years to equalise for the Rams in the second half before Tom Ince finished the job to upset the Baggies on their own patch.
Non-league dreamers
Two non-league sides proved there’s still romance in the cup with big draws against League One and Championship opposition.
Part-timers Sutton United held AFC Wimbledon to a 0-0 draw in the first Third Round match held at their ground since 1988, meanwhile, Lincoln City travelled away to Ipswich Town and put in a fiery performance to earn a home replay with a 2-2 draw.
For teams like Sutton, the FA Cup is everything. Fixtures like these give them the chance to prove they have what it takes and give them confidence in the hard slog for promotion through the pyramid.
Replay madness
Steven Naismith’s last minute equaliser for Norwich against Southampton gave them hope of being the latest team to knock out Premier League opposition from the FA Cup this season, but they’ll have to travel to St. Mary’s to get the job done.
That match is one of nine FA Cup replays scheduled for next week. I love a replay, I love the bonus fixtures and the chance to see a big team tumble out of the competition in Wintry mid-week conditions.
That’s on the cards for the likes of Liverpool and Crystal Palace. Are more cup upsets on the horizon?
History can be made
Wayne Rooney equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s Manchester United goalscoring record against Reading at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Rooney has been struggling to find the vital 249th goal since November, unable to net or get a regular start in the Premier League.
The FA Cup gave him the chance to achieve history with Mourinho rotating his squad massively from recent fixtures.
These moments of history define the trophy, creating moments on the road to Wembley that live long in the memory of football fans everywhere.
Giants gone missing
Plymouth Argyle fans enjoyed a moment of elation when the full-time whistle went on their tie at Anfield. The League Two outfit did what many believed was impossible and earned a draw against Jurgen Klopp’s free-scoring Liverpool side.
It was a weakened Reds team but the Pilgrims won’t care and can now enjoy a massive home fixture against one of the biggest teams in Europe. It’s a fixture that could provide a significant financial boost to a team at their level, too.
It wasn’t a classic match but Plymouth put in a dogged defensive display that ruined the afternoon of Liverpool supporters and nullified any attacking threat Klopp’s side could offer.
It’s what the FA Cup is all about.
