IT doesn’t get much better than an action-packed FA Cup weekend – with several blockbuster clashes happening right now and more on the way later.
Newcastle cruised past Sunderland with a 3-0 win at the home of their bitter rivals, while League One Stevenage suffered a shock early exit to non-league Maidstone.
But now, there are 10 more games underway before Chelsea welcome Championship side Preston to Stamford Bridge in one of four games at 5.30pm.
And High-flying Aston Villa host Manchester United legend Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough.
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Follow ALL the action from the FA Cup 3rd round with our live blog below…
FA Cup half-time scores
Blackburn 3-2 Cambridge Utd
Gillingham 0-2 Sheff Utd
Hull 0-1 Birmingham
Newport 0-0 Eastleigh
Norwich 1-1 Bristol Rovers
Plymouth Argyle 1-0 Sutton Utd
QPR 2-0 Bournemouth
Southampton 1-0 Walsall
Stoke 1-1 Brighton
Watford 0-1 Chesterfield
Stoke 1-1 Brighton
As the hosts fail to clear their lines, Brighton get back on level terms in the sixth minute of added time in the first half.
Pervis Estupinan is the scorer for Roberto de Zerbi’s side.
That might change what he has to say to his team during the interval.
Blackburn 3-2 Cambridge Utd
Sam Szmodics ends a perfect half for the striker as he completes his hat-trick.
Breaking the hearts of the visitors, his form this season has seen him become the top scorer in the division.
Great comeback by the Championship side after going behind twice.
QPR 2-0 Bournemouth
Sinclair Armstrong puts the Championship side in the lead.
Armstrong bends one in the far corner, no more than they have deserved in this game.
Lyndon Dykes then doubles their lead as QPR score two goals in the space of a minute after having only managed that feat in six games before today.
Premier League Bournemouth are up against it now.
Credit: Reuters Red card – George Langston (Eastleigh)
Blackburn 2-2 Cambridge Utd
Sam Szmodics has equalised for Blackburn Rovers.
It is end to end stuff at Ewood Park.
Don’t think we have seen the last of the goals in this one today.
Watford 0-1 Chesterfield
Joe Quigley has put the National League side ahead at Championship Watford.
The visitors have taken a staggering 4,000 fans Vicarage Road.
A trip being made well worth it by their team right now.
Blackburn 1-2 Cambridge Utd
Sam Szmodics has drawn the Championship side level.
Just as it seemed they could be on the receiving end of an FA Cup upset.
Jon Dahl Tomasson will be pleased to see his side get back on level terms at Ewood Park.
However, it is all short-lived as Cambridge go straight down the other end to take the lead once again.
Sullay Kaikai scores for the visitors to send their fans into raptures.
Credit: PA Credit: Getty Hull 0-1 Birmingham
Fresh from the departure of manager Wayne Rooney, Birmingham City take the lead in this one.
Lukas Jutkiewicz heads home from the penalty spot to send the away fans wild.
Rooney will no doubt be watching on to see how his old club do without him.
Norwich 1-1 Bristol Rovers
Grant Ward has drawn the visitors level at Carrow Road.
So much for that cup run for David Wagner.
Bristol Rovers have been in free-scoring form this season and continue at their Championship opponents today.
Stoke 1-0 Brighton
Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has turned into his own net to give Stoke City the lead.
Good pressure by the hosts but The Seagulls’ defender could not sort his feet out and beat his own keeper.
We could be seeing a Premier League scalp in this one.
Gillingham 0-1 Sheff Utd
Will Osula has given the Premier League outfit the lead on the road.
The keeper could have done better with the shot but the visitors take the lead.
No cup upset on the cards in this one it seems.
Norwich 1-0 Bristol Rovers
No surprises in this one as the Championship outfit take an early lead.
Ashley Barnes notches for The Canaries against their League One opponents.
David Wagner will be hoping his side can go on a cup run this season.
Credit: Getty Blackburn 0-1 Cambridge Utd
League One Cambridge Utd have taken the lead at Championship Blackburn Rovers.
Jack Lankester netted for the visitors after six minutes.
Potential shock on the cards if they can hold onto this one.
Southampton 1-0 Walsall
Ryan Fraser has put The Saints ahead after only six minutes.
The hosts start the game with lots of pressure on the visitors from League Two.
They are up against it now, trailing to their Championship opponents.
Stones head into fourth round
Maidstone Utd of the National League South, become the first team to make it to the fourth round from that tier of the league since Havant & Waterlooville in 2007.
Corne slotted home a penalty to put them in Monday’s draw.
They will be hoping they can draw a big side at home in the next round.
FA Cup actions comes thick and fast
Here are the 3pm kick-offs this afternoon:
Blackburn Rovers vs Cambridge Utd
Gillingham vs Sheff Utd
Hull City vs Birmingham City
Newport County vs Eastleigh
Norwich City vs Bristol Rovers
Plymouth Argyle vs Sutton Utd
QPR vs Bournemouth
Southampton vs Walsall
Stoke City vs Brighton
Watford vs Chesterfield
Bruno pulling strings in midfield
Bruno Guimaraes was awarded the man of the match award against Sunderland today.
It was a combative performance by the Brazilian, who covered a lot of ground for his side during the game.
He bossed the Sunderland midfield and was the one of the differences between the two sides.
FA Cup third round full-time scores
AFC Wimbledon 1-3 Ipswich Town
Coventry City 6-2 Oxford United
Maidstone United 1-0 Stevenage
Millwall 2-3 Leicester City
Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
FT: Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
Newcastle win the Wear-Tyne derby in comfortable fashion.
It could have been a lot different but the Black Cats had a frustrating day at the office.
They scored an own goal, gifted the second to the visitors and gave away a penalty for the third goal.
FT: Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
The referee brings the game to a close.
It is a comfortable win for Newcastle in the derby.
Eddie Howe’s side head into the fourth round of the cup.
Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
90+2. Newcastle make a host of changes in added time.
Dummett, Livramento and Ritchie all come on for the visitors.
They will have limited time to have an impact on this game.
Sunderland 0-3 Newcastle
90. Isak sends the keeper the wrong way and buries it in the bottom corner of the goal.
It is the icing on the cake for Eddie Howe’s side.
The rash challenge from Ballard on Gordon gave the penalty away.
Sunderland fans head to the exits now.
Goal – Alexander Isak (Newcastle)
Penalty to Newcastle
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
