FA Cup Third Round

Danny Welbeck came back to haunt his former club as Brighton knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup in a result that sent shockwaves through English football. United were playing just their second game under caretaker manager Darren Fletcher following Ruben Amorim's departure earlier in the week, and the chaos surrounding the club spilled onto the pitch in devastating fashion.

Brajan Gruda opened the scoring for Brighton in the 12th minute, exploiting United's disorganized defensive shape with a clinical finish. The Seagulls doubled their lead through Welbeck after 64 minutes, with the former Red Devil powering a header into the top corner that left his old supporters in stunned silence. Benjamin Sesko's headed goal from a Bruno Fernandes corner with five minutes remaining gave United brief hope, but it proved too little, too late.

The situation worsened when 18-year-old substitute Shea Lacey was sent off for two bookable offenses, leaving United to chase the game with ten men. Brighton held on comfortably to record their first-ever FA Cup victory over Manchester United. This marks the first time since 2014 that United have exited the FA Cup at the third round stage - a damning indictment of the club's current state of disrepair.

Gabriel Martinelli announced himself as Arsenal's man for the big occasion with a stunning hat-trick as the Gunners survived an early scare to dispatch Portsmouth 4-1 at a raucous Fratton Park. The 2008 FA Cup winners threatened a famous upset when Colby Bishop fired them ahead after just three minutes, silencing the traveling Arsenal support and sending the home fans into raptures.

The lead lasted all of five minutes. Andre Dozzell's attempted clearance cannoned off his own defender and into the net for a cruel own goal that swung momentum back toward the Premier League giants. Martinelli then took control, showcasing the predatory instincts that have made him one of Europe's most exciting young forwards. His movement was exceptional, and his finishing clinical as he completed his treble to send Arsenal into the fourth round in emphatic fashion.

For Portsmouth, the early goal will be a bittersweet memory - a reminder of what might have been but also proof they can compete with elite opposition, even if just briefly. Arsenal's quality ultimately proved too much, with their depth and technical ability wearing down Pompey's resolute resistance. Mikel Arteta will be pleased with the character shown to overturn the early deficit, though the initial defensive lapse will give him food for thought.

In one of the most remarkable FA Cup upsets in years, League Two side Mansfield Town knocked out Sheffield United in a seven-goal thriller at Bramall Lane. The Stags produced a performance for the ages, refusing to buckle despite falling behind multiple times against their Championship opponents. The magic of the FA Cup was alive and well in South Yorkshire.

The game swung back and forth in dramatic fashion, with both sides trading blows throughout an unforgettable 90 minutes. Mansfield showed tremendous courage and belief, their players throwing themselves into every challenge and seizing their opportunities with the ruthlessness that defines cup specialists. For Sheffield United, this is a humiliating result that will have serious repercussions as they battle for Championship survival.

The scenes at full-time were emotional as Mansfield's players and traveling supporters celebrated together, knowing they had etched their names into FA Cup folklore. Manager Nigel Clough's tactical approach was spot-on, and his players executed it to perfection. This victory will live long in the memory for everyone connected with Mansfield Town - a reminder of why the FA Cup remains the greatest domestic cup competition in world football.

Leeds United recovered from an early setback to dispatch Derby County 3-1 and book their place in the FA Cup fourth round. The Rams took a surprise lead through Ben Brereton Diaz in the 35th minute, capitalizing just two minutes after goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom had saved Joel Piroe's penalty. Pride Park erupted, sensing an upset was brewing against their Yorkshire rivals.

The second half told a different story as Leeds flexed their superior quality. Wilfried Gnonto leveled proceedings in the 55th minute with a well-taken finish before Ao Tanaka gave the visitors the lead just four minutes later. The Japanese midfielder's goal broke Derby hearts and swung momentum decisively in Leeds' favor. The Rams chased an equalizer but left themselves exposed at the back.

James Justin sealed the victory in the third minute of stoppage time, finishing clinically to make it 3-1 and extinguish any lingering Derby hopes. For Leeds, this was a professional performance that showed their promotion credentials extend beyond league duty. For Derby, there are positives to take from their first-half display, but the manner of the collapse after halftime will concern manager Paul Warne as they continue their Championship campaign.

West Ham United survived a London derby scare to edge past Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at the London Stadium in a competitive FA Cup third round clash. The West London visitors made life uncomfortable for their Premier League neighbors, showing why local derbies in the cup are always unpredictable affairs regardless of the division gap between the two sides.

QPR came into this tie with nothing to lose and everything to gain, and they played with the freedom that comes with underdog status. The Rangers' pressing was intense and their work rate exceptional, making West Ham fight for every ball. The Hammers had to dig deep into their reserves of quality to find a way through, eventually wearing down their opponents through sustained pressure.

In the end, class told as West Ham secured their passage to the fourth round, but this was far from a comfortable afternoon for the home side. Manager Julen Lopetegui will be relieved to have avoided an embarrassing exit, though the performance will have highlighted areas for improvement. QPR can hold their heads high despite defeat - they gave everything and pushed their more illustrious neighbors all the way.

Norwich City put League Two side Walsall to the sword in emphatic fashion, romping to a 5-1 victory at Carrow Road in the most one-sided result of FA Cup third round Sunday. The Championship side was simply too powerful for their lower-league opponents, who found the gulf in quality too wide to bridge despite their best efforts to cause an upset.

The Canaries were clinical in front of goal, converting their chances with ruthless efficiency. From the opening whistle, there was only one team in this contest as Norwich's superior technical ability and pace proved impossible for Walsall to contain. The hosts moved the ball with purpose and penetrated at will, leaving the visitors chasing shadows for most of the 90 minutes.

Credit to Walsall for grabbing a consolation goal and never giving up, but this was a comprehensive lesson in the difference between the divisions. Norwich will be pleased with the confidence boost ahead of their promotion push, while Walsall return to League Two knowing the FA Cup adventure is over but proud of reaching this stage of the competition.

Hull City edged past Championship rivals Blackburn Rovers in a penalty shootout after 90 minutes of tactical stalemate ended goalless at the MKM Stadium. Both sides cancelled each other out in a cagey affair where defenses dominated, with neither goalkeeper seriously troubled throughout normal time. When cup ties between evenly-matched opponents reach this point, it often comes down to nerve - and Hull's nerve held firm.

The shootout provided the drama that the match itself had lacked. With the pressure mounting after each successful conversion, it was Blackburn who blinked first. Hull's goalkeeper was the hero, saving the decisive penalty to send his team into the fourth round. The home fans erupted as their side booked a date with destiny in the next stage of the competition.

For Blackburn, this is a bitter pill to swallow. They matched Hull throughout and will feel they deserved better than to exit via the lottery of penalties. However, they can take heart from a solid defensive display and return to Championship duty knowing their cup run may be over but their league form remains the priority. Hull now look forward to the fourth round draw with genuine optimism.

West Bromwich Albion emerged victorious in a penalty shootout thriller after a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Swansea.com Stadium. This all-Championship clash lived up to its billing as both sides traded blows in an entertaining cup tie that swung one way then the other. Neither team could establish the decisive advantage in normal time, setting up a tense shootout to decide who would advance.

The match itself was a credit to both clubs, with attacking football on display and neither side willing to settle for the stalemate that eventually arrived. Swansea twice took the lead only for West Brom to find equalizers, showing the resilience that has made them promotion contenders this season. The Baggies simply refused to lie down, and their fighting spirit was ultimately rewarded.

In the shootout, it was West Brom who held their nerve to win 6-5 in a marathon contest that saw both goalkeepers make saves before the Baggies finally prevailed. For Swansea, elimination will sting given how close they came, but their league campaign remains the bigger picture. West Brom march on to the fourth round, their squad depth and mental strength proving the difference in this FA Cup marathon.