Teh FA Cup third round delivered a mix of expected progress for Premier League clubs and notable upsets on Sunday. Several top-flight teams advanced, including Arsenal and Norwich City, though not without challenges – and at least one high-profile player opting out of action. Simultaneously occurring, manchester UnitedS struggles continued with a stunning home defeat too Brighton & Hove Albion, further compounding the pressure on the club as thay navigate a managerial vacancy.The round also saw several lower-league sides extend the contests to penalty shootouts,demonstrating the tournament’s enduring capacity for drama.
MANCHESTER, England — Brighton & Hove Albion stunned Manchester United with a 2-1 victory in the FA Cup third round on Sunday, sending the Red Devils crashing out of the competition and intensifying the pressure on the club amid a managerial search.
The defeat at Old Trafford came just days after Manchester United relieved head coach Ruben Amorim of his duties, and leaves the team facing the very real prospect of a trophy-less season. Disappointment was palpable as the home crowd voiced their frustration with a chorus of jeers.
Interim coach Darren Fletcher acknowledged the team’s current struggles, stating, “It’s probably not what fans want to hear about Manchester United because they’ve been winning cups and challenging for the Premier League.” However, he urged the players to remain focused on securing Champions League qualification, which remains an achievable goal.
“Don’t waste the season. That would be the challenge that I would set. That’s the challenge that probably the players feel like they need to achieve this year,” Fletcher added.
Former United striker Danny Welbeck proved to be the difference-maker, scoring the decisive goal in the 64th minute. A late header from Benjamin Sesko offered a glimmer of hope for the hosts, but it proved to be merely a consolation strike.
This marks the second time this season Manchester United has been eliminated from a domestic cup competition at the earliest stage, following a humbling loss to fourth-tier Grimsby in the English League Cup. The early exits mean United will play a minimum of only 40 competitive matches this season.
Their remaining hope for silverware rests solely on the Premier League, a task that appears daunting as they currently sit seventh in the standings, 17 points behind league-leading Arsenal with 17 games remaining.
A trophy-less campaign would represent consecutive seasons without silverware for the storied club.
Club officials are hoping an interim manager can steady the ship and guide them to a Champions League spot. The club has reportedly held discussions with former players Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick regarding the role, while Fletcher himself, along with former United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, are also under consideration.
Fletcher emphasized the collective responsibility needed to turn things around. “Any time you come in at Manchester United, it’s a massive job,” he said. “It’s not about a manager, it’s not about directors. It’s about everyone and the players have to group together, take responsibility, find a way of improving quickly and taking on the challenge for the rest of the season.”
Brighton took the lead in the 12th minute through Brajan Gruda, and Welbeck doubled their advantage shortly after halftime. Sesko pulled one back for United in the 85th minute, but a late red card to substitute Shea Lacey extinguished any hopes of a comeback.
“I gave it my best and ultimately I’m disappointed to not be able to win a game or to get a result today,” said Fletcher, whose only other match in charge ended in a 2-2 draw with Burnley.
In other FA Cup action on Sunday, Arsenal advanced with a dominant 4-1 victory over Portsmouth, highlighted by a hat trick from Gabriel Martinelli.
Martinelli’s treble powered the Premier League leaders to victory after falling behind early to the Championship side. Colby Bishop had given Portsmouth a surprise lead in the 3rd minute, but Andre Dozzell quickly leveled the score with an own-goal.
Martinelli put Arsenal ahead with a flicked header in the 25th minute, added his second shortly after the break, and completed his hat trick with a header in the 72nd minute – his first-ever for the Gunners. The win keeps Arsenal firmly on track for a potential quadruple of trophies.
Arsenal had a chance to extend their lead even further, but Noni Madueke’s penalty was saved.
“It’s always tough to go into these places, especially in the manner that we started the game, conceding the early goal, but we managed to turn things around so I’m very happy,” said manager Mikel Arteta.
Arsenal, the record 14-time FA Cup winners, last lifted the trophy in 2020 under Arteta and remain in contention for the Premier League title, Champions League, and English League Cup.
“I think we are very privileged to be where we are, and the games that we have to play, which means that we are in every competition,” Arteta said.
Leeds United also overcame Championship opposition, rallying from a goal down to defeat Derby County 3-1 at Pride Park.
Mansfield Town produced a major upset, defeating Championship side Sheffield United 4-3, while Norwich City cruised to a 5-1 victory over Walsall, with Jovon Makama scoring a hat trick. Norwich head coach Philippe Clement later revealed that U.S. international Josh Sargent declined to participate in the match.
West Ham United needed extra time to overcome QPR 2-1, ending a 10-match winless streak with a goal from Valentin ‘Taty’ Castellanos. West Bromwich Albion defeated Swansea 6-5 on penalties following a 2-2 draw, and Hull City won 4-3 against Blackburn Rovers in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
