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United KingdomOn Sunday, the FA Cup third round action continued and produced one of the shocks of the round, with holders Arsenal losing at Championship Nottingham Forest.
If you missed what happened in Saturday’s third round ties there is a recap here. Here is what happened in Sunday’s FA Cup third round action:
FA Cup holders Arsenal went into their clash with managerless Nottingham Forest with confidence that they would book their place in the fourth round. However, they were in for a rude awakening at the City Ground.
Former Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj opened the scoring for the Championship side on 20 minutes, heading past David Ospina while completely unmarked.
The Gunners equalised just three minutes later. Defender Rob Holding headed a set-piece against a post before fellow defender Per Mertesacker scored from ten yards with the rebound.
Lichaj scored a second with a sublime volley just before the break to put the home side back in front. The Tricky Trees were further ahead on 64 minutes. Holding was penalised to for tripping Matt Cash in the area. Impressive youngster Ben Brereton stepped up and made no mistake with the spot-kick.
Arsenal looked to be back in the match on 79 minutes, as the ball squirmed out of Forest goalkeeper Jordan Smith’s hands and to Danny Welbeck who had the simple task of firing into an empty net.
The Gunners hopes of a comeback were killed off with five minutes left on the clock. Armand Traore looked to be through on goal only for Mathieu Debuchy to be adjudged to have fouled him in the area.
Referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot. Youngster Kieran Dowell stepped up to take the spot-kick slipped and the ball looked like it may have hit both of his feet before going into the goal. Despite Arsenal protests, Moss let the goal stand.
Arsenal were unable to find an equaliser and the Forest had recorded a famous victory that will no doubt live long in the memories of their supporters.
After a goalless first half at Wembley, the Premier League outfit eventually made the breakthrough in the second half to progress to the fourth round of the competition.
The first goal arrived on 63 minutes. Moussa Sissoko fired in a low cross that Harry Kane managed to bundle over the line from close-range. Two minutes later Kane doubled his tally picking up a pass from young full-back Kyle Walker-Peters before firing home. The goal was the England international’s 26th of the season in all competitions.
Belgian defender Jan Vertonghen completed the scoring on 71 minutes, firing a long-range effort over Dons goalkeeper Lyle Taylor.
Newport County 2-1 Leeds United
League Two Newport County produced a shock knocking out Championship Leeds United at Rodney Parade.
Leeds took the lead on nine minutes, as Gaetano Berardi’s long-range effort swerved past Joe Day to give the visitors the lead. The home side scored a deserved equaliser on 76 minutes, as Leeds Connor Shaughnessy volleyed past his own goalkeeper.
There was still more to come, as County stole the win on 89 minutes with striker Shawn McCoulsky heading home to send the home crowd wild. Leeds striker Samu Saiz was dismissed in stoppage-time after he allegedly spat at Newport player Wilmott.
Elsewhere League One Shrewsbury held Premier League West Ham to a goalless draw at the New Meadow. In truth, the lower league side had the better of the chances and the Irons will be glad of escaping Shropshire with a replay.
Did Arsenal deserve to be eliminated from the FA Cup?
