By Dougal Tsakalos – Sports Writer
The third round of the Emirates FA cup had some exciting games take place, with some top teams showing their pedigree, including the reigning champions. There were also quite a few shock results and upsets.
NEWCASTLE 0-1 CAMBRIDGE UNITED
The first shock result of the round was the defeat of Newcastle United. They hosted a Cambridge united team 42 places below them on the English division table. New signing Kieran Trippier made his first appearance since a 12-million-pound switch from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. Despite the vast difference in player ability and club wealth, Cambridge United were able to fend off the Geordie onslaught, with the help of a few offside calls. Newcastle’s defensive woes bared their teeth once again, as they had all season, seeing as they were unable to clear a loose ball in the box which resulted in a Cambridge goal, scored by Joe Ironside. They would have doubled their lead if not for an offside flag which still gave the Magpies some hope. Unfortunately, they could not finish their chances and embarrassingly bowed out of the competition at the hands of a league one side who will remember this day for years to come.
LEICESTER CITY 4-1 WATFORD
Reigning champions Leicester hosted a struggling Watford in a dominant display for the Foxes. Tielemans got the holders off to a perfect start after a converted penalty following a foul on Vestergaard. Their lead was soon doubled following a beautiful Lookman through ball finished superbly by on form James Maddison. Watford were able to regain a glimmer of hope through 20-year-old Joao Pedro’s finish in the top left corner. The chances were fairly even until the restart where Leicester dominated starting with a neat Harvey Barnes goal, sliding the ball past Daniel Bachmann. The fourth and final goal of the game scored by Mark Albrighton came as a result of a beautiful string of passes between Barnes, Maddison and Lookman who had all played brilliantly for the duration of the game. The game finished with a strong message from the reigning champions that they weren’t to be messed with!
KIDDERMINSTER 2-1 READING
It seemed all too easy for Reading, a championship side who travelled to National league Kidderminster Harriers, the lowest ranked out of all the teams still left in the competition, for a third-round cup tie. The game started as expected with Reading dominating the play, being rewarded just before half time via a fierce finish from George Puscas. Kidderminster were still holding on creating chances in the second half and were finally rewarded in the 69th minute after the Reading keeper failed to stop a low driven shot from Sam Austin, cuing joyous celebrations from the home side. It got better for the National league side in the 82nd minute when experienced striker Morgan-Smith nudged a dangerous ball in from a corner, putting the home side in front unexpectedly for the first time that night. As the full time whistle blew, the home supporters flooded onto the pitch to celebrate with the manager and the players, as they had reached the fourth round of the FA cup for the first time in their history.
HULL CITY 2-3 EVERTON
An underwhelming Everton side that had proven little this season travelled to championship side Hull for their cup tie. The game started in the worst possible way for the Toffees as Tyler Smith headed home a cross from a free kick to give the tigers a fantastic start. Everton managed to recover after that shocking start by putting themselves on the scoresheet via arguably the best player for them this season, Demarai Gray, following a beautiful one-two with youngster Anthony Gordon. The away side were then able to stretch their lead following a bullet header from Andre Gomes, crossed in by Jonjoe Kenny. Hull were not giving up however and fought back in the second half, and were able to level the game following a scintillating finesse shot from youngster Ryan Longman, on loan from premier league side Brighton. With neither side able to get ahead in the first 90 minutes, the game would have to be decided in extra time. It didn’t take long for a decider to be scored, with Andros Townsend having been left too much space, fired a rocket into the top right corner, sinking Hull city’s hopes of progressing. The classic cup tie game finished with Hull City wishing they had more chances, and Everton relieved that they didn’t.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 ARSENAL
Another upset was on the cards when in form Arsenal travelled to championship side Nottingham Forest under the lights of The City Ground. Arsenal were wearing a one-off white kit in order to raise awareness for youth violence, a kind and respectable gesture from the Gunners. The first half was as expected, the Gunners dominating possession and chances, but unable to convert them. The second half was in contrary to the first with Forest dominating instead. They came close through Zinckernagel’s strike, only to be saved well by Leno using his reactions. Forest finally got a goal as a reward for all their efforts following a turnover from Sambi-Lokonga. Zinckernagel’s low-driven cross found the feet of Lewis Grabban who slid the ball into the back of the net, securing the win for the reds in the 83rd minute. For the second time in 4 years Forest managed to knock out the Gunners from the FA cup, quite disappointing for a young promising side pushing top 4 in the premier league.
What was your favourite moment from Round 3 of the FA Cup? Let us know in the comments below!
Dougal Tsakalos is a Sports Writer for The Pioneer Australia. A recent addition to the team, his keen eye for Football is already proving an asset.
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