FA Cup review

Liverpool late show knocks Arsenal out of FA Cup

7 Jan 2024
Arsenal v Liverpool

Reds earn 2-0 win at Emirates Stadium, while holders Man City thrash Huddersfield 5-0

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Two late goals from Liverpool helped them to an impressive 2-0 win at Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup.

It means the Gunners have lost their last three matches in all competitions and are on a run of one win in seven, which began with a 1-1 draw against Liverpool on 23 December.

Wearing a special all-white kit as part of their campaign to help keep young people safe from knife crime and youth violence, Arsenal almost took an 11th-minute lead, but Martin Odegaard's strike crashed off the crossbar.

Liverpool did likewise before the break through Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Arsenal were guilty of wasting several good chances, while Liverpool again hit the woodwork, this time courtesy of Diogo Jota.

Liverpool finally went in front with 10 minutes remaining, when a fine free-kick from Alexander-Arnold was put through his own net by Jakub Kiwior.

In the fifth minute of stoppage time, the visitors scored again as Jota played in Luis Diaz (below) and he fired into the roof of the net.

Luis Diaz

Arsenal will hope for a return to winning ways with a London derby in the Premier League at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday 20 January.

Liverpool's next Premier League match is a trip to AFC Bournemouth the following day.

See: Liverpool report and line-up

De Bruyne returns as Man City cruise 

FA Cup holders Manchester City began the defence of their trophy with a comfortable 5-0 win over Championship side Huddersfield Town at Etihad Stadium to book their place in Monday's fourth-round draw.

Kevin De Bruyne made his return as a second half substitute, having been out injured since the opening weekend of the season.

Determined defending from Huddersfield helped them keep City out until just after the half-hour, when Phil Foden fired in his first of the match after Julian Alvarez’s initial effort had been blocked.

Moments later, Alvarez doubled their lead as he stretched to tap in after a slick passing move.

De Bruyne was introduced to applause on 57 minutes and 60 seconds later it was 3-0, when a pass from Oscar Bobb deflected in off Ben Jackson and into his own net.

Jeremy Doku 1

Foden smashed in his second with a low drive on 65 minutes, before Jeremy Doku (above) marked his comeback with the final goal of the afternoon when he swept home a dinked cross from De Bruyne.

Man City return to Premier League action on Saturday 13 January with a trip to Newcastle United.

See: Man City report and line-up

Gibbs-White stunner helps Forest battle back

Nuno Espirito Santo maintained his unbeaten start in charge of Nottingham Forest after they came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with League One side Blackpool at the City Ground.

Two goals in two first-half minutes from Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel and Albie Morgan put Blackpool in control, before Nicolas Dominguez reduced the deficit six minutes before the break when he headed in.

Forest piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, which came on 56 minutes as Morgan Gibbs-White's brilliant strike (below) arrowed into the top corner.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Neither side could find a winner and will do it all over again in a replay at Bloomfield Road commencing the week of Monday 15 January.

Forest’s will turn their attentions back to the Premier League with a trip to Brentford on Saturday 20 January.

See: Nott'm Forest report and line-up

Hammers held by Bristol City

West Ham United were also forced to settle for a replay after Bristol City fought back to earn a 1-1 draw at London Stadium.

Jarrod Bowen scored his 14th goal of the season in all competitions in the fourth minute, rounding the goalkeeper before firing beneath the defender.

However, the Championship side were far from deterred and their battling display culminated in a deserved equaliser from Tommy Conway. The two will meet again, this time at Ashton Gate, commencing the week of Monday 15 January.

The Hammers are next in Premier League action on Sunday 21 January as they travel to take on Sheffield United.

See: West Ham report and line-up

Luton frustrated in Bolton stalemate

Luton Town were left frustrated after they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Bolton Wanderers.

Despite the Premier League side dominating much of the match, they were unable to find the breakthrough.

With Luton needing a replay, commencing the week of Monday 15 January, their trip to Burnley in the Premier League has now been rescheduled for Friday 12 January.

See: Luton report and line-up

Monday night action

The FA Cup third-round action concludes on Monday night when Manchester United visit 2013 FA Cup winners Wigan Athletic.

Monday's FA Cup third-round match
20:15 Wigan Athletic v Manchester United

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