Brentford knocked out but other Premier League clubs unscathed

The FA Cup third round served up some fascinating ties across the football pyramid but Saturday’s early games only provided one major shock.

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

Morgan Whittaker grabbed the only goal of the game, in the 82nd minute, breaking hearts in West London but sending the southern away support into raptures of celebrations.

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

Elsewhere, the early kick-offs saw Birmingham beat Lincoln, Wolves beat Bristol City, Blackburn beat Middlesbrough and Liverpool thrash League Two side Accrington Stanley.

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

Chelsea breezed into the next round, beating Morecambe 5-0, with Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku both getting on the scoresheet.

We exit the FA Cup. pic.twitter.com/gGtOtxkdfL

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 11, 2025

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

Nottingham Forest also continued their winning run, beating Luton, before extra time saw Burnley overcome Reading and Stoke knock Sunderland out.

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 and Hove Albion

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Luton Town

Reading 1-3 Burnley (AET)

Sunderland 1-2 Stoke City (AET)