The FA Cup third round brought thrilling results on January 11, 2025, with Liverpool and Chelsea securing emphatic victories, while Brentford suffered a shocking defeat to lower-league opposition.
At Anfield, Liverpool breezed past Accrington Stanley with a commanding 4-0 win. Despite making eight changes to the lineup, Liverpool showed their dominance. Captain Trent Alexander-Arnold silenced critics with a remarkable performance, scoring a stunning long-range goal.
Diogo Jota opened the scoring with a simple tap-in, followed by goals from Alexander-Arnold, Jayden Danns, and Federico Chiesa, who netted his first goal for the club after struggling with injuries.
Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, remarked on the team’s clinical display but cautioned against overestimating the opposition.
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea crushed Morecambe 5-0. Joao Felix shone in his rare start, scoring twice, as did Tosin Adarabioyo. Christopher Nkunku, despite missing an early penalty, added his 13th goal of the season. Chelsea’s dominant performance highlighted their strength in depth as they progressed to the next round.
However, it was a day to forget for Brentford. Despite their strong Premier League home record, they were stunned 1-0 by Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle. Morgan Whittaker’s late strike sealed an unlikely win, just days after Plymouth sacked manager Wayne Rooney.
Elsewhere, Bournemouth, Leicester, and Nottingham Forest enjoyed comfortable victories, while Wolves continued their resurgence under Vitor Pereira with a 2-1 win over Bristol City. Meanwhile, Birmingham City, co-owned by NFL legend Tom Brady, edged Lincoln City 2-1 to reach the fourth round.
The excitement continues as Manchester City faces Salford City, a club owned by former Manchester United legends. With surprises already delivered, the FA Cup proves once again why it is football’s most unpredictable competition.
