Graham Potter's tenure as West Ham manager began on a disappointing note, as the Hammers fell to a 2-1 defeat against Aston Villa in the FA Cup. The match started positively for West Ham, with Lucas Paquetá finding the net in the ninth minute, giving the team an early lead. For much of the first half, West Ham appeared to be in control, showcasing a promising performance. However, the dynamics shifted dramatically in the latter stages of the match.
Aston Villa's Amadou Onana equalised from a corner that many observers felt should have resulted in a West Ham goal-kick. Just five minutes later, Morgan Rogers scored from close range, sealing the victory for Villa and leaving Potter with a loss in his first game back in management after a 21-month hiatus, as noted by Yahoo! Sport.
In another notable upset during the FA Cup third round, Wycombe Wanderers triumphed over Portsmouth with a 2-0 victory. The League One side took the lead at Adams Park through a goal from Brandon Hanlan, before doubling their advantage with a strike from Sonny Bradley. This result eliminated Portsmouth from the competition, evoking memories of the club's glory days under former manager Harry Redknapp, when they last lifted the trophy in 2008.
Meanwhile, speculation is mounting regarding the potential return of David Moyes to Everton, a decade after he departed for Manchester United. Reports indicate that Everton's new ownership, the Friedkin Group, have identified Moyes as their top candidate following the recent dismissal of Sean Dyche. Moyes, who enjoyed a successful tenure at Everton from 2002 to 2013, is reportedly close to finalising a two-and-a-half-year contract. This move could see him take the reins at the club's new Bramley Moore Dock Stadium, potentially in time for the upcoming Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
In a separate development, Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou expressed his relief at the absence of VAR for his team's FA Cup third-round match against Tamworth. His comments followed a series of controversies surrounding VAR decisions. "I have just to be careful about how much I talk about it and I would rather talk about football to be honest," he remarked, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding the technology.
As Accrington Stanley prepares to face Liverpool in the FA Cup, a nostalgic Milk Marketing Board advertisement from 1989 featuring two boys in Liverpool kits has resurfaced in fans' memories. Ian Rush, Liverpool's all-time leading scorer, reflected on the advert's impact, stating, "The younger generation probably have never heard of me - I'm Liverpool's record goalscorer but I'm more known by them for the milk advert than for being a top goalscorer."
Lastly, the recent diagnosis of dementia for former Hull and Bradford striker Dean Windass has sparked renewed discussions about the need for increased awareness and support for neurodegenerative diseases in football. Windass, who played a pivotal role in Hull's promotion to the Premier League in 2008, took to X to share his experience, stating, "Seriously I am ok was delighted to find out I had a brain. Just hope other families get the help what they want for the people they have lost." The Football Families for Justice campaign, backed by former England captain David Beckham, is advocating for amendments to the Football Governance Bill to ensure that football authorities develop a comprehensive dementia strategy and establish a care fund for affected players and their families.
As the FA Cup third round approaches, 17 matches are scheduled for Saturday. Teams such as Accrington, Morecambe, and Salford will be aiming to create significant upsets against Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City respectively. Other fixtures promise potential surprises, including Wolves facing Bristol City and Leicester City hosting QPR. The excitement continues with an all-Yorkshire showdown as Leeds United prepares to take on League Two side Harrogate.