The FA Cup third round is always one of the most watchable weekends of the English football calendar and it has been a thrilling round of cup action.
We’ve delved through the long list of games and created our Team of the Week from the FA Cup third round.
Goalkeeper: Cameron Dawson – Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday cruised into the fourth round after beating Cardiff 4-0 at Hillsborough, but you would be mistaken for thinking Cameron Dawson had little to do in the Owls goal. Dawson saved TWO penalties inside the opening seven minutes of the clash, guessing right to thwart Ryan Wintle and Callum Robinson.
Dawson made a number of other solid stops to preserve his clean sheet, in a man-of-the-match performance for Danny Röhl’s side.
The first time was so nice, he had to do it twice ✌️
Cameron Dawson’s two penalty saves for @swfc yesterday ????
They were three minutes apart.#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/wToRA7Gzng
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 7, 2024
Right-back: Pedro Porro – Tottenham
Tottenham’s match-winner and most creative outlet, as the North Londoners edged past Burnley to book a place in the fourth round. Porro was forward-thinking in possession and put in several dangerous deliveries, before deciding the tie with a moment of magic.
The right-back’s wonder goal flew into the top corner to settle the contest against the Clarets. Porro has been terrific this season and has developed into the ideal attacking option for Ange Postecoglou at full-back.
OH MY ????
A moment of brilliance from @Pedroporro29_ for @SpursOfficial ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/XYtGcPcTf7
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 5, 2024
Centre-back: Ethan Ampadu – Leeds
A captain’s performance from stand-in skipper Ampadu, as Leeds won 3-0 at Peterborough. The defender’s first Leeds goal arrived to open the scoring as he reacted to a loose ball to drill in from a set-piece, before claiming the assist for Patrick Bamford’s stunner with a raking pass forward.
The Welshman’s passing was on point all afternoon, alongside some good defensive work, while he didn’t need to wait long for a second Leeds goal after powering in from Daniel James’ set-piece. After much upheaval in his early career, Ampadu appears to be finding a home at Elland Road.
Proud to captain the team today and top it off with 2 goals and an assist ????????????
Next round ???? #MOT pic.twitter.com/bLmqyZAEpl— Ethan Ampadu (@ethanamp26) January 7, 2024
Centre-back: Ibrahima Konate – Liverpool
The de facto leader in the Liverpool defence in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate stood strong in the face of relentless Arsenal pressure at the Emirates.
The Frenchman is a mountainous physical presence and an alert reader of the game, impressing in his side’s 2-0 win at Arsenal as he failed to lose a defensive duel and was not dribbled past all evening. Liverpool were fortunate to head into half-time level, but Konate’s defensive display after the break ensured the Reds returned from North London with a clean sheet and a place in the fourth round.
Left-back: Pervis Estupinan – Brighton
Pervis Estupinan has decided to build his own Goal of the Season competition since returning to the Brighton side.
The left-back scored his second stunning goal in three games against Stoke, after blasting home Brighton’s equaliser at the end of the first half. The Ecuadorian has been moved into a back three to provide balance to Brighton’s backline in recent weeks, restricting his raids forward. However, when the space to shoot has opened up, he’s delivered in spectacular fashion.
Pervis EstupiBANG ????
The @OfficialBHAFC defender with a stunner ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/xdqMw0RE3K
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2024
Midfield: Sam Corne – Maidstone United
Maidstone United have become the first National League South team to reach the fourth round since 2007/08 after Sam Corne’s confident penalty earned The Stones a cup-set win over League One Stevenage.
Three divisions and 68 places separated the sides, but Corne – who also scored in the round two win over Barrow – slammed home an emphatic spot-kick to decide the game. It was the highlight of an impressive performance from the midfielder, who is so often at the heart of the best performances from George Elokobi’s side.
This was a tie that encapsulated what the FA Cup is all about, one mistakenly not selected for live TV coverage. Here’s hoping the sixth-tier side land a dream draw in the fourth round.
Nerves of steel ????
Sam Corne provides a special moment for @maidstoneunited ????????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/o1pWGNbFp3
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2024
Midfield: Phil Foden – Manchester City
Another outstanding performance from the Manchester City midfielder, who ran the show once again this weekend. Foden is in fantastic form right now and oozed quality in attacking areas, with the 23-year-old revelling in the freedom of a central role for the Citizens.
Foden scored twice in the 5-0 thrashing of Huddersfield, snapping in an opener, before scoring a second with a perfectly placed effort after a well-worked set-piece routine. The Stopfordian is sparkling at the moment, with Foden in the sort of mood that will have his coaches for club and country in optimistic mood.
On this form, Foden must be handed a prominent role with England next summer.
Midfield: James McAtee – Sheffield United
James McAtee scored two and created another as Sheffield United swept aside Gillingham. On a difficult pitch, the on-loan Manchester City midfielder provided his usual touch of class and creative spark.
McAtee scored the third in the 4-0 win with a well-taken finish after latching onto a loose ball, before putting the gloss on the win with a stunning fourth. After a quick-corner routine, McAtee cut across the ball to lash it into the far corner and seal the Blades’ place in the fourth round.
The Salford Silva adding a fourth for the Blades in style ✨ pic.twitter.com/UVYOafS3ay
— Sheffield United (@SheffieldUnited) January 7, 2024
Forward: Anthony Gordon – Newcastle
Trai Hume isn’t the first full-back tormented by Anthony Gordon this season and he won’t be the last, with the winger electric in and out of possession at the Stadium of Light.
Gordon drives at defences with dangerous quality and works wholeheartedly off the ball, attributes which have made him a firm fans’ favourite in the North East. A superb showing at Sunderland, in which the Liverpudlian hurtled around the pitch with the determination of a player impassioned by local roots, will only endear him to the Toon further.
You’ve seen United… UTFM ???????? pic.twitter.com/bR1h6zTgvh
— AG (@anthonygordon) January 6, 2024
Forward: Joao Pedro – Brighton
Joao Pedro scored twice as Brighton beat Stoke 4-2 in an entertaining contest at the Bet365 Stadium.
The Brazil international made it four goals in three games with a brilliant brace, showing desire to meet Pascal Gross’ cross with a fine header, before bursting in behind to slide in a second from Jan Paul van Hecke’s centre.
First career hatrick and through to the next round. Great performance @Rovers that was for you @theposh ???????????? pic.twitter.com/dfUKGm40cy
— Sam Szmodics (@SamSzmodics) January 6, 2024
Roberto De Zerbi admitted he had never heard of Pedro before the forward arrived on the recommendation of his recruitment team in the summer, but he’s been rewarded for the faith in the Seagulls’ scouts. A fantastic debut season has seen Pedro score 15 goals in all competitions to date and earn a first senior cap for Brazil.
Forward: Sam Szmodics – Blackburn
What a season Sam Szmodics is having for Blackburn Rovers. The Championship’s leading scorer transferred that form into the FA Cup’s third round, as Szmodics hit his first career hat-trick against Cambridge United.
Szmodics scored just five league goals during his debut campaign at Blackburn last term, but the 28-year-old has been in blistering form this time around with 19 in 27 appearances. His manager, Jon Dahl Tomasson, would have been proud of Szmodics’ first-half treble, with the third an outstanding first-time finish as Blackburn twice came from behind to win.
First career hatrick and through to the next round. Great performance @Rovers that was for you @theposh ???????????? pic.twitter.com/dfUKGm40cy
— Sam Szmodics (@SamSzmodics) January 6, 2024
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