FA Cup Third Round Delivers Drama: Today’s Scores and Shocking Upsets

12 January 2026 Sports

Introduction: The Magic of the FA Cup Returns

The FA Cup third round has delivered its trademark drama and excitement this weekend, with 32 ties scheduled between Friday 9 and Monday 12 January 2026. The historic tournament, now in its 145th season, continues to showcase the beautiful unpredictability of English football, where giant-killings and spectacular performances capture the nation’s attention.

Major Upsets Rock the Premier League Giants

Brighton defeated Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford on Sunday, January 11, 2026, sending the Red Devils crashing out of the tournament. The loss adds further pressure to an already difficult season for United. Meanwhile, defending champions Crystal Palace suffered an upset defeat to sixth-tier National League North side Macclesfield in the third round, marking one of the competition’s greatest shocks.

Arsenal advanced to the fourth round with Gabriel Martinelli’s hat-trick securing a victory against Portsmouth at Fratton Park. In another significant result, Mansfield Town stunned Sheffield United with a 4-3 victory, whilst Newcastle United progressed past Bournemouth 7-6 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in 120 minutes.

Manchester City’s Record-Equalling Performance

Manchester City matched their biggest ever FA Cup victory margin, with new signing Antoine Semenyo impressing in a dominant display against Exeter City. The match showcased City’s attacking prowess and provided a confidence-boosting 10-1 victory. Other London clubs also progressed, with Chelsea beating Charlton Athletic 5-1, Fulham overcoming Middlesbrough 3-1, and Brentford defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2-0.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next

The third round action concludes tonight with Liverpool hosting League One side Barnsley at Anfield at 19:45. The fourth round draw will be made on 12 January 2026 by Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole, broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and Discovery+ from Anfield. With 32 teams advancing to the next stage, football fans can expect more thrilling encounters as the competition progresses towards the final at Wembley Stadium on 16 May 2026. The weekend’s results have once again demonstrated why the FA Cup remains English football’s most cherished domestic competition, where underdogs can dream and giants can fall.