The FA Cup third round always delivers and it was no different this time around. We had a number of shock results and controversial moments. So we thought we’d piece together a bumper review, recapping some of the biggest talking points and a number of statistical standouts.
Rashford’s rampant form continues
Marcus Rashford has now scored in five successive matches for Manchester United following his return from the World Cup. The England forward had a hand in all three of the goals, converting from the penalty spot in added time to add gloss to the scoreline.
Rashford ran riot at Old Trafford, creating three chances and attempting seven dribbles on the night as he gave Seamus Coleman the runaround. His 8.3 FotMob rating was more than deserved.
LiVARpool
Following the 3-1 loss to Brentford, everyone expected a reaction from Liverpool. Jürgen Klopp expected one too having named his strongest possible team while Wolves fielded a weakened XI.
Yet the Reds needed luck on their side to avoid defeat. Granted, the visitors had a serious slice of luck for the opener when Alisson passed the ball to Gonçalo Guedes. However, after that, it was Liverpool getting the rub of the green. Last season, Mohamed Salah’s goal would’ve been ruled as offside. There was controversy late on when VAR was unable to check a late Wolves winner and the referee had to stick the linesman’s decision of offside. Nobody is certain whether it should’ve been ruled out.
Questionable decisions aside, Wolves went toe-to-toe with Liverpool’s best XI and held their own. The xG on the night was practically identical and the away side even had more efforts on goal.
A proper FA Cup tie
This may not have been the FA Cup clash Wrexham hoped for but they certainly put on a show against Coventry City. At one point in the tie, the non-league side had a 4-1 lead over their hosts. The Championship team scored two during a seven-minute spell to set up a nervy finish but Phil Parkinson’s side had enough about them to claim a 4-3 victory. Their reward is a home tie against high-flying Sheffield United.
The run comes to an end
Heading into their FA Cup tie against Sheffield Wednesday, Newcastle United had not lost a football match since the final day of August. And even then, Liverpool needed a 98th-minute winner to beat Eddie Howe’s men at Anfield.
The Magpies, even with their weakened XI, were favourites to beat the Owls. In truth, it should’ve been a routine win for the Premier League’s surprise package this season. They created chances with an xG value of 3.37 but weren’t able to make the most of these opportunities.
Sheffield Wednesday ran out 2-1 winners courtesy of two Josh Windass goals. Bruno Guimarães halved the deficit but Howe’s side weren’t able to make their dominance count.
A smash and grab at Blackpool
Steve Cooper took the opportunity to rest players for the FA Cup clash against Blackpool as he focuses on Premier League survival. However, even with plenty of fringe players starting, very few would’ve envisaged a 4-1 win for the hosts.
It wasn’t a 4-1 sort of game either. Forest had more shots, better opportunities with almost double the Expected Goals haul and created four big chances to Blackpool’s one.
Chesterfield denied a famous win
West Bromwich Albion had been in fine form under Carlos Corberán. The Baggies had won eight of their last nine outings and found themselves just a point off the play-off spots in the Championship.
They took the lead on two occasions against Chesterfield but then needed a stoppage-time goal to level the tie at 3-3.
Chesterfield actually finished with an xG of 2.08, significantly higher than the xG accrued by the Baggies. The non-league side will feel aggrieved not to have recorded a giant killing.
Burnley continue their fine form
Bournemouth have now lost five successive matches under new permanent manager Gary O’Neil. The FA Cup tie against Burnley was an opportunity for them to halt their bad streak and give the players a confidence boost with a win. Vincent Kompany’s men had other ideas though, heading into the break with a 3-1 lead. The game eventually finished 4-2 but the stats show it was a much closer affair.
Both teams had a similar number of efforts and finished with a near identical Expected Goals total. The big difference, ironically, was that the Burnley players had confidence and made the most of their opportunities.
From heroes to villains
Unai Emery went strong with his team for Aston Villa’s FA Cup match against Stevenage. Despite taking a first-half lead, the hosts struggled to impose themselves on proceedings. Morgan Sanson netted the opener but Villa failed to add to that, even failing to create high-value chances.
The hosts equalised from the penalty spot in the 88th minute and then won the game in the 90th. It wasn’t a deserved win but it was the sort of result you see in the third round of the FA Cup. Keep yourself in the game long enough and there is always that chance of something magical happening.
A Cardiff collapse
This game had everything.
There was the threat of a cup upset after Cardiff City took a 2-0 lead. Then, there was the drama of a handball on the line that resulted in a red card and a missed penalty as Leeds hunted for an equaliser. Then, with time running out, Jesse Marsch’s side scored in the third minute of added time to book a replay with the Bluebirds at Elland Road.
Remarkably, Leeds racked up chances with an xG value of 4.29 but just couldn’t find that elusive winner.
More pressure on Potter
Chelsea and Graham Potter could’ve avenged their mid-week Premier League loss to Manchester City at the Etihad by knocking Pep Guardiola’s men out of the FA Cup. Both teams rotated but it was City with too much class on the day.
They coasted to a 4-0 win and it was yet another game in which Chelsea created nothing under Potter. The visitors attempted just three shots, all from poor positions, for an Expected Goals total of just 0.09.
City, by comparison, created four big chances and had an Expected Goals total of close to 2.8. It was, yet again, a very one-sided result at the Etihad.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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