FA Cup: What we've learned so far as Potter defeated in first match

Even before the weekend's ties, typically the FA Cup third round has already produced plenty of talking points.

So far, four Premier League clubs have started their journeys, with Graham Potter taking charge of West Ham United for the first time against Aston Villa, Fulham extending their unbeaten run and Everton starting life after Sean Dyche. 

Here, we look at some of the key topics from what we've seen so far. 

Aston Villa 2-1 West Ham 

It was first night frustration for West Ham’s new manager, who saw his team lead until the 71st minute before the tie suddenly turned.

Amadou Onana tapped in to level after Lucas Paqueta gave Potter a dream start before Morgan Rogers struck a cruel blow following Ollie Watkins’ pull-back.

Morgan the match winner

But there were plenty of positives to be found for the new manager, who replaced Julen Lopetegui on Thursday. 

The Hammers didn’t look like a team who had conceded nine goals in their last two matches, restricting Villa to their first shot on target in the 68th minute of the match. The tie was transformed three minutes later.

Fans crave a more attacking approach and they at least saw signs of that, in the first half and as they chased the equaliser. 

Aston Villa honoured the club’s 150th anniversary with a special kit, which included a new crest based on their logo from 1878, when they became the first team to play with a badge on their chest.

It was a different look, but there was a similar feeling with their home form getting back to what their supporters have come to expect. It’s now just two defeats in 16 at Villa Park as they enjoyed a rare third round success, having won just once at this stage since 2016.

Potter pointed to the positives and said: “The first half was really good from us, but the second half Aston Villa stepped it up. 

“They pushed us back and we were deeper than we wanted to be. It’s something we’ll need to improve on.

“I’m not sure if their first goal was a corner, but we regrouped and there were lots of positives to take. The players gave everything, their application and their intensity was there.”

See: Line-ups and report

Everton 2-0 Peterborough United

Overseen by interim managers Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman, Everton began their post-Dyche era with a win, his dismissal a decision taken just hours before the tie.

Beto beat the offside trap to open the scoring after latching onto impressive Harrison Armstrong's pass, before they sealed their passage through to round four with an Iliman Ndiaye penalty.

Beto opens the scoring

Earning another clean sheet, their eighth in their last 14 matches, the Toffees needed to fight right until the final whistle against League One Peterborough to confirm their progress.

We were denied a piece of history at Goodison Park, Everton's Ashley Young and Peterborough's Tyler Young, who is Ashley's son, could have become the first father and son to play against each other in an FA Cup tie. Tyler, however, was an unused substitute. 

Everton are awaiting news on the extent of Armando Broja's injury after he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher after suffering what appeared to be an ankle injury.

“I’m really, really proud I got to help out today and support the football club," Baines, who made 348 appearances for the club, told the Everton website. "I’m made up with that. I thought the application was brilliant. We spoke to them before the game - losing managers and coaches isn’t what anyone wants, really.

"That normally means something hasn’t gone quite right. That’s never on one person. It’s on a lot of people involved in it."

See: Everton line-up and report 

Fulham 4-1 Watford

It was ultimately a straight-forward night for Fulham, who showed their class in the second-half to cruise into the fourth round for the sixth successive season.

Championship Watford's fightback was shortlived and goals from Rodrigo Muniz, Raul Jimenez, Joachim Andersen and Timothy Castagne meant it was a good night for Marco Silva against the club he left back in 2018. 

Fulham are now unbeaten in nine matches in all competitions, but worryingly have now only kept one clean sheet since 9 November. 

Perhaps not ideal for Silva either was having to call on Jimenez from the bench, scoring his ninth goal after being introduced at half-time in place of Muniz, the scorer of the opening goal. 

Muniz makes his mark

Silva didn't want to replace the injured forward but was forced to act after Muniz "felt something in his back" making it "impossible" for him to play the second-half.

The manager didn't know the extent of his player's injury. 

What Silva had to say

But he is thrilled with the club's attacking options and said: “It’s important to have players of that capacity, since the start of the season it’s been a good fight between both Muniz and Jimenez, it’s nice to have both with the capacity.”

See: Fulham line-up and report

FA Cup third round results and fixtures (all times GMT)

9 Jan Everton 2-0 Peterborough United
9 Jan Fulham 4-1 Watford
10 Jan Aston Villa v West Ham United, 20:00
11 Jan Bristol City v Wolverhampton Wanderers, 12:00
11 Jan Liverpool v Accrington Stanley, 12:15
11 Jan Leicester City v Queens Park Rangers, 14:00
11 Jan AFC Bournemouth v West Bromwich Albion, 15:00
11 Jan Brentford v Plymouth Argyle, 15:00
11 Jan Chelsea v Morecambe, 15:00
11 Jan Newcastle United v Bromley, 15:00
11 Jan Norwich City v Brighton & Hove Albion, 15:00
11 Jan Nottingham Forest v Luton Town, 15:00
11 Jan Manchester City v Salford City, 17:45
12 Jan Tamworth v Tottenham Hotspur, 12:30
12 Jan Arsenal v Manchester United, 15:00
12 Jan Crystal Palace v Stockport County, 15:00
12 Jan Ipswich Town v Bristol Rovers, 15:00
12 Jan Southampton v Swansea City, 16:30