The third round of the FA Cup saw some exciting ties across the football pyramid but Saturday’s opening games provided just one big shock.

Premier League side Brentford were stunned by Championship strugglers Plymouth, losing 1-0 at the Gtech Stadium.

Morgan Whittaker scored the only goal of the game in the 82nd minute, breaking hearts in West London but sending South Away into celebratory joy with a brace.

Brentford had 71% possession in the match but only managed 0.41xG compared to their opponents’ 0.28.

Elsewhere, Birmingham beat Lincoln in the opening kick-off, Wolves beat Bristol City, Blackburn beat Middlesbrough and Liverpool thrash League two side Accrington Stanley.

At 3pm, Leicester scored six at QPR and fellow Premier League rivals Bournemouth scored five against West Brom.

Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku both got on the scoresheet as Chelsea beat Morecambe 5–0 to progress to the next round.

We get out of the FA Cup. pic.twitter.com/gGtOtxkdfL

— Brentford FC (@brentfordfc) January 11, 2025

Exeter triumphed over Oxford United and Brighton went to Norwich and scored four without reply.

Nottingham Forest also continued their winning run by beating Luton, Burnley beat Reading before extra time and Stoke beat Sunderland.

FA Cup Third Round Results

Birmingham City 2-0 Lincoln City

Bristol City 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Middlesbrough 0-1 Blackburn Rovers

Liverpool 4-0 Accrington Stanley

Leicester City 6-2 Queens Park Rangers

Bournemouth 5-1 West Bromwich Albion

Brentford 0-1 Plymouth Argyle

Chelsea 5-0 Morecambe

Exeter City 3-1 Oxford United

Norwich City 0-4 Brighton & Hove Albion

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Luton Town

Reading 1-3 Burnley (AET)

Sunderland 1-2 Stoke City (AET)