Even before the weekend’s ties, typically the FA Cup third round has already produced plenty of talking points.
So far, four Premier League clubs have started their journeys, with Graham Potter taking charge of West Ham United for the first time against Aston Villa, Fulham extending their unbeaten run, and Everton starting life after Sean Dyche.
Here, we look at some of the key topics from what we’ve seen so far.
Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham
It was first-night frustration for West Ham’s new head coach who saw his team lead until the 71st minute before the tie suddenly turned.
Amadou Onana tapped in from a corner to level after Lucas Paqueta had given Potter a dream start before Morgan Rogers struck a cruel blow following Ollie Watkins’ pull-back.
Morgan the match-winner
Morgz ⚽️
Ollie ?️pic.twitter.com/DNha7Q8o7q— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 10, 2025
But there were plenty of positives to be found for the new boss, who replaced Julen Lopetegui on Thursday.
The Hammers didn’t look like a team who had conceded nine goals in their last two matches, restricting Villa to their first shot on target in the 68th minute. The tie was transformed three minutes later.
Fans crave a more attacking approach and they at least saw signs of that in the first half, and as they chased the equaliser.
Aston Villa honoured the club’s 150th anniversary with a special black kit, which included a new crest based on their logo from 1878, when they became the first team to play with a badge on their chest.
It was a different look, but there was a similar feeling with their home form getting back to what their supporters have come to expect. It’s now just two defeats in 16 at Villa Park as they enjoyed a rare third-round success, having won just once at this stage since 2016.
Potter pointed to the positives, saying: “The first half was really good from us, but the second half Aston Villa stepped it up.
“They pushed us back and we were deeper than we wanted to be. It’s something we’ll need to improve on.
“I’m not sure if their first goal was a corner, but we regrouped and there were lots of positives to take. The players gave everything, their application and their intensity was there.”
See: Villa report
Everton 2-0 Peterborough United
Overseen by interim managers Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, Everton began their post-Dyche era with a win, his dismissal a decision taken just hours before the tie.
Beto beat the offside trap to open the scoring after latching on to impressive Harrison Armstrong’s pass, before they sealed their passage through to round four with an Iliman Ndiaye penalty in stoppage time.
Beto opens the scoring
Calm, composed, clinical ? pic.twitter.com/vr2Kcdocjl
— Everton (@Everton) January 9, 2025
Earning another clean sheet, their eighth in their last 14 matches, the Toffees needed to fight right until the final whistle against League One Peterborough to confirm their progress.
The close score meant we were denied a piece of history at Goodison Park. Everton’s Ashley Young and Peterborough’s Tyler Young could have become the first father and son to play against each other in an FA Cup tie. Tyler, however, remained on the bench.
Everton are awaiting news on the extent of Armando Broja’s injury after he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher after what appeared to be an ankle injury.
“I’m really, really proud I got to help out today and support the football club,” Baines, who made 348 appearances for the club, told the Everton website. “I’m made up with that. I thought the application was brilliant. We spoke to them before the game – losing managers and coaches isn’t what anyone wants, really.
“That normally means something hasn’t gone quite right. That’s never on one person. It’s on a lot of people involved in it.”
See: Everton line-up and report
Fulham 4-1 Watford
It was ultimately a straightforward night for Fulham, who showed their class in the second half to cruise into the fourth round for the sixth successive season.
Championship side Watford’s fightback was short-lived and goals from Rodrigo Muniz, Raul Jimenez, Joachim Andersen and Timothy Castagne meant it was a good night for Marco Silva against the club he left back in 2018.
Fulham are now unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions, but worryingly have now only kept one clean sheet since 9 November.
Perhaps not ideal for Silva either was having to call on Jimenez from the bench, scoring his ninth goal after being introduced at half-time in place of Muniz, the scorer of the opening goal.
Muniz makes his mark
? His name’s Rodrigo, Rodrigo Muniz! ? pic.twitter.com/QeBzxUF8jz
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 10, 2025
Silva didn’t want to replace the injured forward but was forced to act after Muniz “felt something in his back”, making it “impossible” for him to play the second half.
The manager didn’t know the extent of his player’s injury.
What Silva had to say
A good night all round.
Marco’s #FULWAT reaction: ⤵️
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) January 10, 2025
But he is thrilled with the club’s attacking options, saying: “It’s important to have players of that capacity, since the start of the season it’s been a good fight between both Muniz and Jimenez.”
See: Fulham line-up and report
PL clubs’ FA Cup third-round matches (all times GMT)
9 January
Everton 2-0 Peterborough United
Fulham 4-1 Watford
10 January
Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham
11 January
12:00 Bristol City v Wolves
12:15 Liverpool v Accrington Stanley
14:00 Leicester City v QPR
15:00 Bournemouth v West Brom
15:00 Brentford v Plymouth
15:00 Chelsea v Morecambe
15:00 Newcastle United v Bromley
15:00 Norwich v Brighton
15:00 Nottingham Forest v Luton
17:45 Man City v Salford City
12 January
12:30 Tamworth v Spurs
15:00 Arsenal v Man Utd
15:00 Crystal Palace v Stockport
15:00 Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers
16:30 Southampton v Swansea City