Third Round Thrills and Upsets in the 2025/26 FA Cup

The third round of the 2025/26 FA Cup saw several surprises as top-tier teams fell to lower-league opponents, while some bigger clubs made deep runs into the tournament. The most notable upset came when Championship side Huddersfield Town stunned Premier League giants Liverpool with a stunning 2-1 victory at Anfield. In another major upset, League One side Bolton Wanderers knocked out Arsenal in the third round, winning 3-2 on aggregate after a thrilling match in Bolton that saw the Gunners come from behind to level the score before Bolton’s late winner sealed their progress. The win marked a significant scalp for Bolton, who have been struggling in recent seasons. Meanwhile, Manchester City and Chelsea cruised through to the next round with comfortable wins over lower-league opponents. City beat League Two side Barrow 4-0, while Chelsea dispatched non-league side Boreham Wood 5-1. The match that will be remembered most, however, was the 3-2 win for Championship side West Bromwich Albion over Premier League title contenders Manchester United. The Baggies came from behind twice to secure a historic win at Old Trafford, sending shockwaves throughout the football world. As the tournament enters its knockout stages, teams can no longer afford to take their opponents lightly. With several more upsets possible, the 2025/26 FA Cup remains one of the most unpredictable and exciting tournaments in recent memory.