As the Championship and Premier League teams joined the FA Cup, we also see some of them leave as the teams in the competition halves. Penalty shootouts proved decisive yet again, knocking out Sheffield Wednesday, Hull City, and Premier League title contenders Arsenal. Meanwhile, underdogs Wycombe Wanderers, Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, and Doncaster Rovers overcame higher-ranked opponents to progress further in the competition.

HIGH WYCOMBE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 10: Sonny Bradley of Wycombe Wanderers celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth at Adams Park on January 10, 2025 in High Wycombe, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Tamworth, the lowest-ranked team remaining, held Tottenham Hotspur to a draw over 90 minutes before their hopes deteriorated in extra time. Aston Villa, celebrating their 150th anniversary, staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Graham Potter’s West Ham in his managerial debut. Rocco Vata delivered a potential Goal of the Competition contender with a sensational long-range strike against Fulham.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 9: Rocco Vata of Watford scores a goal from distance to make the score 1-1 during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Fulham and Watford at Craven Cottage on January 9, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images)

This round also produced a flurry of high-scoring games, with nine fixtures featuring more than four goals. Highlights included Manchester City’s 8-0 demolition of Salford City, Leicester City’s 6-2 triumph over QPR, and Bournemouth’s 5-1 victory over West Brom.

Here is my Team of the Round for the FA Cup Round 3 fixtures:

Goalkeeper

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – JANUARY 09: Ethan Horvath of Cardiff City clears the ball during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Sheffield United and Cardiff City at Bramall Lane on January 09, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Ethan Horvath (Cardiff City): Opening this week’s Team of the Round is Ethan Horvath. Trusted to guard the goal against promotion hopefuls Sheffield United, Horvath excelled in his first start since August, securing a clean sheet and producing seven crucial saves. The former FA Cup finalists (2008) will be pleased with his stellar performance.

Defenders

BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Dango Ouattara of AFC Bournemouth scores his team’s third goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between AFC Bournemouth and West Bromwich Albion at Vitality Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Dango Ouattara (AFC Bournemouth): Though deployed as a makeshift striker due to Bournemouth’s injury crisis, Ouattara demonstrated his versatility, netting two goals to help his side overturn five-time FA Cup winners West Brom. Maintaining Bournemouth’s unbeaten streak of nine matches, Ouattara was pivotal in their success.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Tosin Adarabioyo of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with team mate Jadon Sancho during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Morecambe at Stamford Bridge on January 11, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Tosin Adarabioyo (Chelsea): Reinstated to the starting XI, Adarabioyo seized his opportunity with an outstanding performance, scoring twice and keeping a clean sheet. While his first goal benefitted from a deflection, his second was a stunning strike into the top corner from outside the box. Known more for his defensive abilities, Adarabioyo’s two world-class strikes were instrumental in Chelsea’s progression.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: James Justin of Leicester City celebrates with Patson Daka of Leicester City after scoring to make it 5-2 during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Leicester City and Queens Park Rangers at King Power Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

James Justin (Leicester City): Justin delivered a match-winning performance, scoring a brace in Leicester’s dominant display. His first goal came in the eighth minute from a perfectly placed pass, while his second was a composed finish into the bottom corner.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Accrington Stanley at Anfield on January 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool): Liverpool’s win may have been anticipated, but Alexander-Arnold’s goal was a moment of brilliance. Punishing Accrington’s defensive lapse, he unleashed a sublime strike from the edge of the box. A clean sheet completed his standout display.

Midfielders

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 12: Lewis Miley of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Newcastle United and Bromley at St James’ Park on January 12, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Lewis Miley (Newcastle United): Starting for the first time since February 2024, Miley repaid his manager’s trust with a powerful equaliser into the top corner, spurring Newcastle to victory. Despite an early mistake leading to a goal, Miley redeemed himself with six successful duels and ten recoveries.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: James McAtee of Manchester City holding the match ball following the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Salford City at Etihad Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

James McAtee (Manchester City): Manchester City academy graduate McAtee enjoyed a dream performance, scoring a hat-trick against his hometown team, Salford City, in an 8-0 victory. His first goals at the Etihad marked a memorable outing for the young midfielder.

NORWICH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Georginio Rutter of Brighton & Hove Albion celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Norwich City and Brighton & Hove Albion at Carrow Road on January 11, 2025 in Norwich, England. (Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)

Georginio Rutter (Brighton & Hove Albion): Rutter’s towering header and deflected effort secured Brighton’s victory over Norwich, ending their eight-game losing streak. His contributions were pivotal in Brighton’s dominance pushing them into the next round.

Attackers

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Jeremy Doku of Manchester City celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal with team mates during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Manchester City and Salford City at Etihad Stadium on January 11, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Jérémy Doku and Jack Grealish (Manchester City): Doku and Grealish wreaked havoc on Salford’s backline, each contributing a penalty goal alongside a flurry of assists. Doku contributed two assists and scored twice, while Grealish scored his first goal in over a year and provided two assists. Their goals contributions and creative play were central to Manchester City’s dominant win, handing Salford their heaviest defeat as a league club.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 11: Joao Felix of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Emirates FA Cup Third Round match between Chelsea and Morecambe at Stamford Bridge on January 11, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

João Félix (Chelsea): Félix capped Chelsea’s dominant 5-0 win over Morecambe with a brace. His first, a low-driven shot, was followed by a curling long-range effort into the far corner, rounding off Chelsea’s emphatic victory.

Follow us on X @ProstInt