The English FA Cup is the World's oldest knock out football competition, and in January the big boys come to the table. We look back on famous third round shocks of the past and the potential upsets in the forthcoming weekend round
Third Round weekend has always held a special place in the hearts of English football fans. It marks the moment in the season when the smaller fish in the footballing pond have a chance to pit their wits against the multi-millionaire superstars of the world stage. The moment that Biblical imagery is rolled out every year when the question is asked; Can David beat Goliath? Is there a Giant Killing to be had?
The Cup used to be a significant competition but as money and TV have come to dominate the game, meaning more money is at stake for finishing anywhere in the top league than winning the cup, the larger teams have played weakened sides or seen the competition as an inconvenience. Many cite the year 2000 when Manchester United opted out of the FA Cup to participate in the World Club Championship as the turning point in the fortunes of the FA Cup. Sir Alex Ferguson would later express regret over the decision which he insisted was forced upon them to help England's bid to host the World Cup.
The cup still means a great deal to ordinary football fans and can even ensure the existence of those smaller clubs that live off the potential payday from playing one of the giants of the game, but it is the shot at glory, the chance for immortality, that can come from defeating a larger opponent that keeps the sparkle in the eyes. We take a look at some of the great cup third round shocks of the past and look at where such moments of madness could happen again this weekend:
Newcastle United 0 - 1 Cambridge Utd, 2022
This was picked out as a real giant killing possibility by our panel in 2022 and Cambridge did not disappoint. Mitov, the Bulgarian in the Cambridge goal pulled off a truly extraordinary performance to continually deny the Magpies. Sometimes it seems to be written in the stars and as the Premier League giants were subject to a controversial buyout with oil millions, the Amber Army came north to chasten them with a cruel reminder that football is a funny old game.
Newport County 2-1 Leicester City, 2019
This was quite a shock as the League Two strugglers scalped the then champions of England. Another Giant Killing predicted by us here at Bulldogz. The Exiles took an early lead before they survived a barrage from Leicester. Day produced a string of saves and the Foxes also hit the crossbar before they eventually drew level in the closing stages. Almost immediately the lead was restored with a penalty to send the Welsh minnows through.
Sutton 2-1 Coventry, 1989
Sutton were not even in the football league, but a non-league side in what was then called "The Conference". Coventry had only lifted the cup a mere 18 months previously, having beaten Tottenham in a shock final themselves. But Sutton taking the lead through Tony Rains before a Matthew Hanlan volley cancelled out a David Phillips equalizer pulled off one of the greatest giant killing feats of all time!
Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal 1992
George Graham described this defeat as his lowest moment in football. Concerned about a banana skin of a tie he named a strong starting eleven and his side had looked comfortable, leading from just before the break, but a Mickey Thomas free-kick drew the Welsh side level in the 82nd minute and before anyone could comprehend what was happening, they scored a second and Arsenal tumbled out of the cup.
Stevenage 3-1 Newcastle Utd 2011
Newcastle Utd fans were in jubilant mood having seen the news from earlier that day that their bitter rivals Sunderland had been beaten by Notts County. Stevenage had met the North Eastern giants thirteen years previously in the cup, holding out for a replay before being beaten by a Shearer goal that did not cross the line. The drama all came in the second half and on the final whistle the minnows felt they had avenged the previous defeat. Boro had dominated the game with possession and shots on goal, it was a deserved victory
Shrewsbury 2-1 Everton 2003
The FA Cup threw together a clash of classic proportions. Kevin Radcliffe, had been Everton's most successful captain of all time, but on this cold January afternoon, he managed Shrewsbury to a defeat of his beloved Everton, a team that included a young Wayne Rooney. Nigel Jemson scored twice in the famous victory that saw Everton and not the Shrew tamed.
Hereford 2-1 Newcastle Utd 1972
This is often cited as the ultimate Giant Killing episode when Southern League Hereford scalped Newcastle Utd. Ronnie Radford scored an absolute belter of an equalizer which saw the fans invade the pitch in ecstatic celebrations. They then took the victory in extra time. Radford's strike is so pivotal to the romance of giant killing feats that his name is given to the Giant Killing Award which was inaugurated in 2010.
Manchester Utd 0-1 Leeds Utd 2010
This might not sound like a giant killer feat on the face of it but back in 2010 Leeds United were languishing in League One for a third consecutive season. A chance to rekindle one of footballs long standing rivalries was too good to miss and an 18th minute goal from Jermaine Beckford which dribbled slowly into the bottom corner set Yorkshire pulses racing. Despite two penalty shouts, Manchester United were unable to find their way back and were ignominiously dumped out of the cup at the third round for the first time under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Bournemouth 2 -0 Manchester Utd 1984
Harry Redknapp masterminded this shock against FA Cup holders, Ron Atkinson's United. The south coast side matched the giants for over an hour before scoring twice in the second half to seal a monumental win.
An entire web page is dedicated to the Giant Killers of the FA Cup that records all giant-killing exploits in the history of the competition. Explore their amazing archive.
FA Cup Giant Killing Award
Originally named the Ronnie Radford Giant Killer Award after the goal scorer of the long range belter for Hereford against Newcastle, this award was was introduced in the 2010-11 season for fans to vote for the greatest giant killing success of the season. The winning club is presented the award by Radford himself at Wembley stadium at the final of the competition.
Third round triumphs have won this award on four occasions:
2010-11 | Crawley Town | 2-1 | Derby County |
2011-12 | Swindon Town | 2-1 | Wigan Athletic |
2013-14 | Aston Villa | 1-2 | Sheffield United |
2018-19 | Fulham | 1-2 | Oldham Athletic |
There has not been a competition award since the 2018-19 season but it seems unthinkable that the Cambridge United victory at St. James' Park in January 2022 was not the greatest upset of the competition that year. Sadly Radford passed away in November 2022 and it is unclear if the award is set to continue at the current time.
January 2023 The ones to watch out for
The third round draw has provided some potential upsets to look out for this coming weekend, here is our round up, although it looks like slim pickings this year!
Kick-off times in Central European Time:
Saturday 7 January 13:30
Tottenham Hotspur v Portsmouth
The north London outfit are a frequent feature on the potential banana skin slip list. They are seen as being a soft touch and do seem to be going through a bit of a personality crisis this season. Portsmouth have nailed the Spurs to the gallows before and with a rather indifferent season so far, this could be a welcome chance to change their fortunes. This one will come down to which Spurs decides to turn up.
A 1-0 victory, by no means dominant, but job done and a banana skin avoided
Saturday 7 January 13:30
Gillingham v Leicester
This should be a run of the mill job for Leicester City but they have recently been humiliated at this stage so there will be some nervous thoughts floating around the away dressing room. Gillingham are still in the League cup after scalping Brentford. The team had to walk to the stadium as traffic held them up. The club have only really registered one giant killing feat of note in their FA Cup history but there is a whiff of the magic of the cup about this season and maybe they can go on a run in both competitions.
Leicester did enough and progress with a 1-0 result away from home
Saturday 7 January 13:30
Forest Green Rovers v Birmingham City
The chances of an upset here are indeed slim, not so much as Forest Green can probably do without the distraction in order to ensure their survival in Football League One. Birmingham are trying to push themselves out of the mid table and stay in the hunt for promotion places, so maybe would prefer to focus on that chase instead. This might feel like a game neither side wants to win.
Match postponed at 09:45 due to waterlogged pitch.
Eventually Birmingham overcame plucky Forest Green later in the month
Saturday 7 January 19:00
Sheffield Wednesday v Newcastle United
The Magpies have been scalped several times in their history, with three third round defeats featured in our best of list above. They have recently had a a huge cash injection and are rapidly becoming a dangerous force, but their soft underbelly is not yet covered in armour. Sheffield Wednesday will relish the chance to show they deserve to be back among the big boys and will be a tough prospect. This one could be thunderous.
Newcastle again a giant killing victim in the 3rd Round as the Owls are in heaven!
Sunday 8 January 17:30
Aston Villa v Stevenage Borough
The Borough are no stranger to the annals of FA Cup shock history and this could provide them with yet another famous victory. The complications of potential disruptions through ongoing train driver strikes is foremost in the minds of Boro fans but the journey could well be worth it as Villa have been blowing hot and cold. Sadly this game will not be televised on normal channels so some careful online operations will be required.
The Boro have done it again, with two quick and very late goals knocking Villa out!
Monday 9 January 21:00
Oxford United v Arsenal
Arsenal have been in fine form this season and most observers from other fan bases are waiting for when the wheels are going to fall off. What better time than a third round shock? Oxford dumped Swansea out at the 3rd round stage in 2016, coming back from behind. Arsenal might find the desire of the Oxford team slightly more assertive than first expected.
Arsenal efficiently dispatched their lower league rivals with ease.
Further potential fire crackers
Sunday 8 January 15:00
Cardiff v Leeds United
This could burst into life, the fans will be baying for nothing less than a victory in a rivalry that is long standing and bitter. Leeds fans often cite the FA Cup 3rd round tie in Cardiff in 2002 as the beginning of their dramatic decline. Manager David O'Leary stated Leeds would begin and end their FA Cup challenge in Cardiff and following the unexpected defeat the whites did not win another game for two months.
We predicted an eventful encounter and these two did not disappoint. Cardiff took a quick double lead within half hour before Leeds responded with a 65min goal and a Cardiff red card in the 80th minute. Leeds snatched an equalizer three minutes into stoppage time setting up a replay.
Sunday 8 January 17:30
Manchester City v Chelsea
A high octane tie that will be the hot ticket. Chelsea are losing finalist for the past three years and would not like to be out of the cup before that stage this year. In their path, one of the most intimidating teams in Europe. This will mean everything, defeat is unthinkable. This may spill over.
In the end this was a steam roller performance from City as they ease past Chelsea
The full draw
Friday 6 Jan
21:00
Manchester United | 3 - 1 | Everton |
Saturday 7Jan
13:30
Preston North End | 3 - 1 | Huddersfield Town |
Tottenham Hotspur | 1 - 0 | Portsmouth |
Gillingham | 0 - 1 | Leicester City |
Forest Green Rovers | P - P | Birmingham City |
Reading | 2 - 0 | Watford |
Crystal Palace | 1 - 2 | Southampton |
16:00
Hull City | 0 - 2 | Fulham |
Middlesborough | 1 - 5 | Brighton |
Fleetwood | 2 - 1 | QPR |
Ipswich Town | 4 - 1 | Rotherham |
Bournemouth | 2 - 4 | Burnley |
Blackpool | 4 - 1 | Nottingham Forest |
Cheterfield | 3 - 3 | West Brom |
Millwall | 0 - 2 | Sheffield United |
Boreham Wood | 1 - 1 | Accrington Stanley |
Shrewsbury Town | 1 - 2 | Sunderland |
18:30
Brentford | 0 - 1 | West Ham United |
Coventry | 3 - 4 | Wrexham |
Luton Town | 1 - 1 | Wigan Athletic |
Grimsby Town | 1 - 0 | Burton Albion |
19.00
Sheffield Wednesday | 2 - 1 | Newcastle United |
21:00
Liverpool | 2 - 2 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
Sunday 8 January
13:30
Derby County | 3 - 0 | Barnsley |
Bristol City | 1 - 1 | Swansea |
15:00
Cardiff City | 2 - 2 | Leeds United |
Stockport County | 1 - 2 | Walsall |
Hartlepool | 0 - 3 | Stoke City |
Norwich City | 0 - 1 | Blackburn Rovers |
17:30
Manchester City | 4 - 0 | Chelsea |
Aston Villa | 1 - 2 | Stevenage Borough |
Monday 9 January
21:00
Oxford United | 0 - 3 | Arsenal |
Tuesday 17 January
Replays and postponements
Forest Green Rovers | 1-2 | Birmingham City |
Wigan Athletic | 1-2 | Luton Town |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 0-1 | Liverpool |
Swansea City | 1-2 | Bristol City |
West Bromwich Albion | 4-0 | Chesterfield |
Wednesday 18 January
Replays
Leeds United | 5-2 | Cardiff City |
Tuesday 24 January
Replays
Accrington Stanley | 1-0 | Boreham Wood |