FA Cup talking points: West Ham need Potter magic, Tamworth eye Spurs shock, Grealish has point to prove

We pick out the big issues ahead of four days of third-round action

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola last week called on Jack Grealish to reproduce the form that helped the club secure the treble in 2022/23. AFP

It is the third round of the FA Cup third this weekend when Premier League clubs enter the fray and English football's minnows can dream of entering football folklore with a giant-killing.

Much to the anger of those lower down in the football pyramid, there will be no replays in this year's competition, meaning games that are level after 90 minutes, then go to extra-time and finally to a penalty shoot-out to decide the winner.

The English Football Association and Premier League believe the move is needed to protect player welfare in an increasingly crowded calendar for top-level players, with Uefa and Fifa both continuing to increase tournament sizes at both club and international level.

But critics insist scrapping replays denies lower-league clubs the opportunity of a much-needed source of revenue, although the Premier League pledged an extra £33 million funding to support grass-roots football.

Setting that argument to one side, there are 32 matches taking place between Friday and Monday and we have picked out the main talking points ahead of the action.

Will Potter produce some instant magic for West Ham?

On Wednesday, West Ham became the fifth Premier League club to wield the managerial axe this season when Julen Lopetegui was sacked after just six months in charge.

Replacing the Spaniard at the London Stadium is English coach Graham Potter, who returns to the dugout for the first time since he was sacked by Chelsea in April 2023.

Potter's first game in charge is a tough one. The Hammers travel to the Midlands to take on Aston Villa on Friday (midnight kick off UAE), before consecutive Premier League games against London rivals Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Two heavy league defeats in a row – 5-0 at home to Liverpool, then 4-1 at Manchester City – has left West Ham down in 14th place while Villa lie eighth, with Unai Emery's side also fifth in the Uefa Champions League table having all but booked their place in the knockout stages.

“I'm comfortable in my own skin, in who I am and with what I've done,” said Potter at his unveiling on Thursday. “No one's perfect. Life is about taking the successes and accepting the setbacks, and it making you stronger.

“Twelve years of non-stop being a football coach in three different countries, climbing from the fourth tier, the last eight of the Champions League, it doesn't come for free.”

Can Grealish make point to Guardiola?

The first derby meeting between Manchester City and fourth-tier Salford City takes place at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday (9.45pm).

Salford are famously co-owned by former Class of '92' Manchester United players Gary Neville, Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt and go into game sitting third in League Two, having won six games in a row.

“We’ll play the same way,” said manager Karl Robinson ahead of taking on City. “We are true to who we are and our area, and who our owners are and what we want to be.”

City will be hoping that a corner has been turned on their spectacular loss of form after winning two games on the spin, against Leicester City and West Ham. After the latter win, manager Pep Guardiola had some harsh words for Jack Grealish, who is being kept out of the team by Brazilian winger Savinho but is in line to start against Salford.

“Savinho is in better shape and everything than Jack, and that's why I played Savinho,” said the Spanish coach.

“Do I want the Jack that won the treble? Yeah I want it, but I try to be honest with myself for that … I know that he can do it because I saw him. I saw his level and I want that, every single training session and every single game.”

Can Tamworth stun Spurs?

Hoping to add their name to an illustrious list of famous FA Cup giant-killers – that include the likes of Hereford United, Sutton United and Woking – are Tamworth, who take on top-tier Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday (4.30pm).

Tamworth play in the National League, the fifth tier of the English football pyramid, and are the lowest-ranked team remaining in this season's competition. They have already knocked out third-tier sides Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion in the previous rounds.

“We have to play to our absolute maximum and they have to have one of the worst days they could have, and if that does happen then there is always the chance of an upset,” manager Andy Peaks told the Northampton Chronicle and Echo. “There is one every round, and we have to try our hardest to make it happen.”

But eight-time FA Cup winners Spurs are a whole different ball game, even with Ange Postecoglou's side currently struggling with an injury crisis and having lost four out of the last six league games, winning just once.

Tottenham at least go into the game on a high having beaten Liverpool 1-0 in the League Cup semi-final first-leg on Wednesday night, inflicting only the second defeat in all competitions this season on the Merseysiders.

“Yeah, very proud,” said Postecoglou after the match. “We haven't achieved anything, but I think just that feeling of having a victory against a top opponent in a big game, really pleased for everyone.”

Is a lack of striker going to cost Arsenal?

It was a frustrating night at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal on Tuesday when Newcastle United ran out 2-0 winners in the League semi-final first leg as Mikel Arteta's side lost at home for the first time since last April.

The Gunners had 23 shots on goal against the Magpies – but the fact only three were on target was a telling statistic. “If you look at what both teams produced and the domination of the game, obviously it's not the result that reflects the story of the game, but the reality is that they were super efficient with the chances that they had, and we weren't,” Arteta said.

Out of Arsenal's current squad, only Gabriel Jesus can count himself as an out-and-out forward, and the Brazilian has registered 26 goals in 95 appearances for the club, while their top Premier League scorer this season is Kai Havertz with seven.

That makes Arsenal – who take on Manchester United at the Emirates on Sunday – the only side in the top six not to have a player with at least 10 league goals so far.

Arsenal have won one trophy since Arteta took over as manager, when they beat Chelsea in the 2020 FA Cup final eight months after the Spaniard's appointment. And the longer the wait goes on until the next one arrives, the louder the debate about whether they need an elite striker capable of 20-plus goals a season will become.

Can Man United build on Liverpool performance?

After securing an unexpected draw away to league leaders Liverpool last week, reigning FA Cup holders Manchester United will now be looking for more of the same in North London on Sunday.

After the disastrous call to start the previous game against Newcastle – that ended in a 2-0 defeat – with the ageing legs of Christian Eriksen and Casemiro in midfield, manager Ruben Amorim made no such mistake at Anfield.

United produced their best performance since the Portuguese arrived at the club with Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte providing some much-needed pace and power in the centre of the park, while captain Bruno Fernandes pulled the strings alongside them.

It was welcome relief for Amorim, whose six defeats from 11 games was the worst start by any United manager since 1932. The Red Devils are currently 13th in the Premier League table.

“We have to start being consistent someday, not in the way we play but in how we face the competition – so let's start today,” said the former Sporting coach after the thrilling draw on Merseyside.

Manchester United's Amad Diallo celebrates after scoring his side's second goal in the 2-2 Premier League draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, January 5, 2025. AP

Manchester United's Amad Diallo shoots past Liverpool's Andrew Robertson to make it 2-2. AFP

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their second goal against Manchester United at Anfield. Reuters

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah scores their second goal from the penalty spot. PA

Manchester United's Matthijs de Ligt handles the ball to concede a penalty. Reuters

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates his goal with teammates. AFP

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo scores their opening goal to make it 1-1. PA

Manchester United's Lisandro Martinez scores their first goal. EPA

Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's first goal. Getty Images

Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo takes a tumble in the snow. PA

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah is held back by Manchester United's Diogo Dalot. AFP

Manchester United's Amad Diallo makes a mess of a header, watched by Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker. EPA

Manchester United keeper Andre Onana saves from Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister. PA

Cody Gakpo of Liverpool shoots wide under pressure from Andre Onana and Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United. Getty Images

Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte fouls Liverpool's Cody Gakpo. Reuters