Brentford were relegated, but the other Premier League clubs remained unscathed

The third round of the FA Cup served up some fascinating connections across the football pyramid, but Saturday’s opening games provided just one big shock.

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

Morgan Whittaker scored the only goal of the game, in the 82nd minute, to break hearts in west London but send the southern away support into raptures of celebration.

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

On the other hand, the early opening games saw Birmingham beat Lincoln, Wolves beat Bristol City, Blackburn beat Middlesbrough and Liverpool beat League 2 side Accrington Stanley.

At 15:00, Leicester have scored six goals past QPR and fellow Premier League rivals Bournemouth have scored five goals against West Brom.

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

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

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 11, 2025

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

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

The results of the third round of the FA Cup

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)