Barnet and Newport provided the biggest shocks in the third round as they knocked out Sheffield United and Leicester respectively.
Holders Chelsea, plus fellow big guns Manchester City, Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United all reached the fourth round, but five top-flight sides made their exits.
Here, Press Association Sport takes a look at five things we learned from this weekend’s third-round ties.
Barnet fly flag for minnows
Unbelievable! #BarnetFC ? pic.twitter.com/JdNEzkMbJV
— Barnet FC ? (@BarnetFC) January 6, 2019
Barnet kept FA Cup romance alive and kicking by stunning Sky Bet Championship promotion-chasers Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Shaq Coulthirst’s first-half penalty and goalkeeper Mark Cousins’ superb late save to deny Leon Clarke were enough to blunt the Blades and ensure the Bees, in 15th place in the Vanarama National League, are the only non-league side in the hat for the fourth round draw.
Giant-killing is no lost art
? | It’s heating up at Rodney Parade as @NewportCounty regain the lead pic.twitter.com/BFoEZ5a1Wo
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 6, 2019
All neutrals love a giant-killing and Barnet were not the only lower league side to bloody the nose of a more fancied club and dump them out of the competition. Newport knocked Leeds out of the competition last season but went one better by stunning Premier League club Leicester in a 2-1 win at Rodney Parade. Cardiff came unstuck at League One strugglers Gillingham, basement club Oldham stunned Fulham at Craven Cottage and Huddersfield were knocked out by Bristol City. Another top-flight side, Bournemouth, lost at home to Premier League rivals Brighton.
Video assistant referees in spotlight
HALF TIME: Burnley 0 Barnsley 0 VAR 1
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) January 5, 2019
For clarification, we’re not being critical of VAR with our half time post. It was meant as a light-hearted comment at a correct decision being made. We are fully in support of its use. ?
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) January 5, 2019
A video assistant referee (VAR) was used in nine of this weekend’s ties and the technology made some crucial interventions. Burnley were denied a penalty after a VAR referral in their home win against Barnsley and another in Manchester United’s victory over Reading led to confusion when Juan Mata’s 20th-minute ‘goal’ was ruled out, apparently for offside, before a penalty was awarded. VAR was consulted before Grimsby defender Andrew Fox’s early dismissal in his side’s defeat at Crystal Palace and also for Aleksandar Mitrovic’s saved penalty in Fulham’s shock defeat to Oldham.
Farewell from Fabregas?
Upset not on Cards for Tyler
