This year's FA Cup third round may not have been full of shocks, but that only raises the stakes in the plethora of fixtures to come.
Liverpool and Chelsea both Smash aside League Two enemiesWhile Manchester City scored eight goals without a response against its guest, Salford City. Tottenham Hotspur They eventually beat non-league Tamworth Three goals in extra time after a tense, scoreless start in 90 minutes.
However, the highest flight Brentford were cut short By Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle, who will face Arne Slott's Premier League leaders Liverpool in the fourth round.
Arsenal and Manchester United overcame a thrilling third-round encounter, with the Red Devils winning on penalties despite playing with ten men for more than an hour to set up a clash against Leicester City next month.
Here's everything you need to know about what could be an even more explosive fourth round.
Fans of England's oldest cup competition will have to wait until February for the next installment. The 16 fourth-round matches are scheduled to be held over the weekend Saturday 8 February.
As was the case for the third round, games could be scheduled from Thursday to Monday. With the concept of replays relegated to the realm of away goals and the back pass rule, all ties are scheduled to end on the day they begin.
VAR can't win. When the controversial arbitration system is in place, hours upon hours are wasted debating the merits of the decisions made by those at Stockley Park. In case the technology is not released – as it were The case for the third round The Cup – the powers that be criticized for its absence.
However, FA Cup referees will not be able to request VAR support for Round 4. In what appears to be a completely arbitrary decision, video assistance will not be used until the fifth round of the cup.
