The FA Cup third round delivered its customary blend of drama, upsets, and goals on Sunday, 11 January 2026, with Premier League giants navigating tricky ties and a League One side providing the day's major shock.
Premier League Heavyweights Weather Scares
Premier League leaders Arsenal were given an early fright at Portsmouth before Gabriel Martinelli's hat-trick secured a 4-1 victory. The Championship strugglers took a shock lead inside three minutes through skipper Colby Bishop, but an Andre Dozzell own goal quickly levelled matters. Martinelli then took centre stage, scoring either side of a missed penalty from Noni Madueke before completing his treble in the 72nd minute.
At Old Trafford, Danny Welbeck scored a stunning goal to help Brighton dump managerless Manchester United out of the competition with a 2-1 win. Brajan Gruda's early header put the Seagulls ahead, and former United striker Welbeck rifled a left-footed strike into the top corner after the hour mark. Benjamin Sesko pulled one back, but United's misery was compounded by a late red card for youngster Shea Lacey.
Championship Sides in Thrilling Turnarounds
Leeds United produced a fine comeback to defeat Derby County 3-1 at Pride Park. The visitors fell behind to a Ben Brereton Diaz strike after Joel Piroe had a first-half penalty saved. The game turned dramatically as Willy Gnonto and Ao Tanaka scored within four minutes of each other to put Leeds ahead, with James Justin adding a late third to seal the win.
West Ham needed extra time to see off Queens Park Rangers 2-1. Crysencio Summerville's opener was cancelled out by Richard Kone, forcing an additional 30 minutes where the Hammers' new £26 million striker Taty Castellanos netted the decisive goal.
The Cupset: Mansfield Stun Sheffield United
The standout result of the day came at Bramall Lane, where League One Mansfield Town upset Championship side Sheffield United in a seven-goal thriller, winning 4-3. Louis Reed scored twice against his former club as the Stags raced into a stunning 4-1 lead. A late fightback from the Blades, featuring a Patrick Bamford goal and a Nathan Moriah-Welsh own goal, set up a nervy finish, but Mansfield held on for a famous victory.
Elsewhere, there were high-scoring wins for Norwich City, who thrashed Walsall 5-1 thanks to a Jovon Makama hat-trick, and penalty shootout drama for Hull City and West Bromwich Albion. Hull beat Blackburn 4-3 on spot-kicks after a goalless 120 minutes, while West Brom edged Swansea City 6-5 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in south Wales.
