United States
United KingdomThe fixtures for the third round of the FA Cup were complete on Monday night, as Brighton Hove Albion defeated Crystal Palace at the Amex Stadium.
If you missed Sunday’s action there is a recap here, while if you wish to know what happened in Monday night’s game, then please read on:
The Seagulls defeated the Eagles at the Amex Stadium to progress into the fourth round. The game was a historic one, as it was the first at the top of the English game to use VAR (video assistant referee).
Brighton took the lead on the quarter hour mark. Ezequiel Schelotto found Dale Stephens, who beat Yohan Cabaye before firing an effort past Wayne Hennessey at his near post.
The Eagles equalised on 69 minutes. Bakary Sako shrugged off the attentions of Davy Propper before hitting a powerful that found its way into the goal off the post. The Seagulls came agonisingly close to regaining the lead, as Sam Baldock hit the post from Solly March’s cross.
However, the home side did take the lead with just three minutes left on the clock. Glenn Murray guided the ball over the line from Uwe Hunemeier’s header across goal. The Palace players appealed for handball, but referee Andre Marriner allowed the goal and did not ask for the VAR system to be used.
The Seagulls reward for beating Palace is a trip to the Riverside Stadium to face Middlesbrough in the fourth round.
Fourth round draw throws up interesting ties
The fourth round draw certainly produced some interesting ties. One of the picks of the draw saw Manchester United drawn to face lowest-ranked team Yeovil at Huish Park.
The Glovers have a relatively recent history of facing Jose Mourinho’s side, as the Red Devils recorded a 2-0 win over Yeovil at Huish Park in the third round of the FA Cup back in 2015, courtesy of goals from Ander Herrera and the now departed Angel Di Maria.
League Two Newport County’s reward for seeing off Championship Leeds United is a home clash with Premier League Tottenham at Rodney Parade. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are a far bigger challenge for the home side.
Another League Two side Mansfield have a massive incentive to beat Cardiff in their replay, as a home clash with Premier League runaway leaders Manchester City awaits the victors of the clash. The Citizens are the favourites to win the trophy.
Two Premier League sides will meet at Anfield, as Liverpool host struggling West Brom in the fourth round. The Baggies will be underdogs but will take heart from the fact that they came away from Merseyside with a goalless draw on their last trip to Anfield.
Arsenal’s conquerors Championship Nottingham Forest will face fellow second-tier team Hull City at the KC Stadium in the next round. The Tricky Trees will be confident of progressing to the fourth round.
Full FA Cup fourth round draw:
Liverpool v West Brom
Peterborough v Fleetwood or Leicester
Huddersfield v Birmingham
Notts County v Wolves or Swansea
Yeovil v Manchester United
Carlisle or Sheffield Wednesday v Stevenage or Reading
Cardiff or Mansfield v Manchester City
MK Dons v Coventry
Millwall v Rochdale
Southampton v Watford
Middlesbrough v Brighton or Crystal Palace
Bournemouth or Wigan v Shrewsbury or West Ham
Hull v Nottingham Forest
Newport v Tottenham
Norwich or Chelsea v Newcastle
Sheffield United v Preston
Ties to be played over the weekend of January 26-29.
Which FA Cup fourth-round tie is the most exciting?
