FA Cup: talking points from the third round matches


Plymouth’s defence was classy and defiant, Ndidi excelled on Leicester debut, Batshuayi proved little and Stourbridge showed romance is alive, even in defeat

The triumphant celebrations after Plymouth Argyle’s 0-0 draw at Anfield were further confirmation that giant-equalling is the new giantkilling. In the modern world of the FA Cup, it is enough for David to draw with Goliath – especially as it means a second payday for clubs often in need of such a financial boost. For Plymouth’s players, it was about more than that. It’s easy to be sniffy about their ultra-defensive approach against the youngest team in Liverpool’s history, but most League Two teams would not have been good enough to pull it off. Plymouth defended with such class and determination that their goalkeeper Luke McCormick barely had a save to make. And for once, there’s no harm in employing a little bit of artistic licence: in years to come, the record will show that Plymouth drew at Anfield, and the details will fade happily into the background. Rob Smyth

Related: Anfield draw was my greatest experience as a Plymouth fan – but pure pain | Josh Widdicombe

Related: The Dozen: the weekend's best FA Cup photos

Related: FA Cup third round: AFC Wimbledon's return to Sutton United – in pictures

Continue reading...