Hat-tricks, redemption and ‘bittersweet’ returns – More Emirates FA Cup third-round magic moments you may have missed

This came after Wrexham continued their football fairytale with victory over Nottingham Forest the previous evening.

If you thought things would calm down on Sunday, you’d be mistaken, with the world’s oldest football cup competition creating more headline-grabbing drama.

Blades blunted by one of their own

The big upset from Sunday’s fixtures saw Mansfield Town edge a dramatic seven-goal thriller away at Sheffield United.

The League One side went ahead through Louis Reed’s stunner early on but were pegged back by an equally brilliant strike from Gustavo Hamer.

Another long-range Reed effort restored the Stags’ lead against their Championship opponents before second half goals from Lucas Akins and Rhys Oates put them in dreamland as they raced into a 4-1 lead.

Patrick Bamford and a Nathan Moriah-Welsh own goal made for a nervy finish at Bramall Lane but Mansfield held on for a memorable victory that sees them into the fourth round for the first time since 2008.

Two-goal hero Reed came through the ranks at Sheffield United and is a Blades fan, confessing his conflicted feelings after the game.

“Back where it all began,” he told BBC Nottingham.

“Bit of a bittersweet moment obviously because it’s against the team I support but what a result for all those fans behind the goal and the team”.

FA Cup third-round highlights – Sheffield United vs Mansfield Town

Video credit: TNT Sports

Guess who’s Beck? Beck again!

The Manchester-born 35-year-old came through the Red Devils’ famous academy but left for Arsenal in 2014, before a spell at Watford and eventually arriving at Brighton in 2020.

Since leaving United, Welbeck has continued to haunt his boyhood club with his wonderful strike to make it 2-0 on this occasion making it eight goals scored against United in other teams’ colours.

The striker also played a key role in the Seagulls’ opener, hanging up the cross that would cause chaos in the United box and eventually fall to Brajan Gruda to open the scoring.

Highlights: Welbeck stars as Brighton dump out Man Utd

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Magic Martinelli changes the narrative

The Brazilian winger headed home from a corner in the first half before finishing from close range after the break and converting a header from another set-piece to claim the match ball.

The hat-trick was his first in 249 appearances for the Gunners and ended a somewhat tumultuous week on a positive note.

Martinelli was on the receiving end of criticism for his behaviour during his side’s Premier League clash with Liverpool on Thursday when he tried to move an injured Conor Bradley off the pitch.

“That’s his personality and commitment. We talk on the pitch and that’s the best part of football.”

Highlights: Martinelli hits hat-trick as Arsenal hit back to dismiss Portsmouth

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“Gabi has that (ability to bounce back),” he added. “And that’s why you play for a big club, and have a big personality, because it can be that way.

“You need to build yourself up and make it count.”

Martinelli was not the only hat-trick hero on Sunday, with Norwich’s Jovan Makama also bagging a treble in the Canaries’ 5-1 hammering of Walsall.

FA Cup third-round highlights – Norwich City vs Walsall

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Castellanos heroics leaves West Ham’s Cup half full

While their Premier League campaign is looking somewhat bleak at the moment, West Ham found some respite in the Cup with a 2-1 extra-time win over QPR.

Crysencio Summerville’s opener at the London Stadium was cancelled out by Richard Kone to leave the scores level after 90 minutes.

In the additional 30-minute period, Taty Castellanos, who only joined the club last week from Lazio, rose to head home a Summerville cross and book The Hammers a place in the fourth round.

The result ends a run of ten matches without a victory for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men and captain Jarrod Bowen hopes Castellanos can spark a change of fortunes.

“He comes with a lot of experience, a really good player and person,” Bowen said afterwards. “He’s played two games now and got his goal today so really happy.

“To get your first goal so quickly is really good for confidence. Really happy for him because we’re going to need him to score more goals.”

FA Cup third-round highlights – West Ham United vs QPR

Video credit: TNT Sports

Swansea pay the penalty

No FA Cup action would be complete without a dramatic penalty shootout and that’s exactly what we got at the Liberty Stadium as Swansea and West Brom were perfect from their five kicks each following their 2-2 draw.

However, sudden death seemed to get to the next takers with the next three attempts all failing to be converted before 18-year-old Ollie Bostock settled the match in favour of the Baggies.

FA Cup third-round highlights – Swansea City vs West Bromwich Albion

Video credit: TNT Sports