The Emirates FA Cup round three has so far delivered a few surprises, but none has been as big as Macclesfield FC's win over holders Crystal Palace, a result that saw them become the first Non League club to beat current winners in the competition since 1909.

From the drama in Cheshire to Manchester City's goal-fest against Exeter, here are the 10 highlights from the Emirates FA Cup round three fixtures of the weekend.

10 highlights of the FA Cup 2025-26 Round Three

1. Macclesfield beat Palace in a giant-killing 

Macclesfield FC became the first-ever Non League club to beat an FA Cup holder since Crystal Palace beat Wolves 117 years ago in 1909, following their 2-1 victory in Cheshire on Saturday afternoon.

Paul Dawson headed the home side in front from a set-piece, two minutes before the end of the first-half, while striker Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled their advantage on the hour mark, sending the just over 6,000 capacity stadium into raptures.

Yeremy Pino pulled one back for the defending champions, but that only ensured a nervy finish, and didn't change the outcome as Macclesfield held on for a historical win, in their first season taking part in the FA Cup (first round onward).

2. Man United suffered a maiden loss to Brighton 

It is only January, and Manchester United are almost certain to go another trophy-less season after crashing out of the Emirates FA Cup, no thanks to a 2-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday evening.

Brajan Gruda fired the visitors in front in the opening 13 minutes, guiding the ball into the back of the net after Giorginio Rutter's header was blocked on the line, then turned provider four minutes after the hour mark, setting up Danny Welbeck for the eventual match-winner.

United pulled one back through Benjamin Sesko, but Brighton held on for the win that saw them eliminate the Red Devils from the FA Cup for the first time ever, after losing all of their previous five ties in the competition.

3. Wrexham wreck Nottingham Forest 

Championship side Wrexham produced a wonderful performance to eliminate Nottingham Forest from the Emirates FA Cup following their penalty shootout win after a thrilling 3-3 scoreline at the end of 120 minutes.

The host took a shocking 2-0 lead in the latter stages of the first half through Liberato Cacace and Oliver Rathbone, but the visitors responded by pulling one back through striker Igor Jesus, four minutes after the hour mark.

Dominic Hyam restored Wrexham's two-goal cushion 16 minutes from time, but substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi grabbed a late double to force extra time, where neither team could win it and had to be settled on penalties.

Arthur Okonkwo proved the hero, saving two penalties from Igor Jesus and Omari Hutchinson as the Championship side won the shootout 4-3 to upset the top-flight team.

4. Gabriel Martinelli hits first Arsenal hat-trick 

Gabriel Martinelli scores his first-ever hat-trick for Arsenal as the Premier League leaders overcome a shaky start to beat Portsmouth and get their FA Cup campaign off with a ticket to the fourth round.

After conceding an early goal, and leveling through an own goal, the Brazilian put Arsenal in front by heading home Noni Madueke's corner before the half-hour mark, ensuring they head into the break with an advantage.

Martinelli got on the end of Gabriel Jesus's pass to extend Arsenal's lead six minutes after the restart, before heading home another Madueke's cross later in the half to complete his hat-trick and seal a 4-1 Arsenal win.

He is the first Arsenal player to score an FA Cup hat-trick since Theo Walcott in January 2017, while they continued their unbeaten streak against Pompey since March 1958.

5. Liam Rosenior breaks 10-year jinx at Chelsea

Liam Rosenior got his Chelsea tenure underway with a 5-1 victory away at Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup to become the first manager at the club to win their first game in charge, six years after Antonio Conte in 2016.

Goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo, Marc Guiu, Pedro Neto, and Enzo Fernandez secured the Blues' ticket into the fourth round of the competition, while winning against lower division opponents for the 23rd consecutive time in the FA Cup.

The result also ensured a winning start for Resonior, who became the first Chelsea manager to enjoy the privilege that eluded the likes of Mauricio Sarri, Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor, Frank Lampard again, Mauricio Pochettino, Enzo Maresca, and Calum McFarlane.

6. Antoine Semenyo's match Aguero City debut

14 years after Sergio Aguero scored one and assisted on against Swansea City on his Manchester City debut, Antoine Semenyo relived a similar narrative on his first appearance in the victory over Exeter in the FA Cup.

Less than 48 hours after the Ghanaian completed his £62.5 million switch from Bournemouth, he was included in the starting XI for their Emirates FA Cup third round clash with the League One side, who had won their two previous FA Cup games this season by an aggregate of 6-0.

City ended up winning 10-1 in Etihad, with Semenyo setting up Rico Lewis for the fifth just four minutes after the restart, while he got himself on the scoresheet five minutes later to become the first player to match Sergio Aguero in City colours.

7. City equaled Liverpool's FA Cup home record

Manchester City have equaled Liverpool's long-standing record for the most consecutive home wins in the FA Cup after thrashing Exeter 10-1 in the Etihad on Saturday to reach 16.

The run, which began in January 2015, when James Milner's second-half brace helped seal a come-from-behind win over Sheffield Wednesday, has now matched Liverpool's, set between 1939 and 1955.

8. Man City first to double digits of goals

Manchester City became the first English top-flight club to score double digits of goals in any competition in the 21st century after putting 10 past a sorry Exeter in their Emirates FA Cup round three meeting on Saturday.

Liverpool, who beat Fulham 10-0 more than 39 years ago in 1986 in the League Cup, was the last top-flight club to do so, while Spurs, in a 13-2 victory over Crewe Alexander in 1960, was the last top-flight team to do so in the FA Cup.

9. Strand Larsen hat-trick for Wolves

Jorgen Strand Larsen, against Shrewsbury Town, became the first Wolves player to score an Emirates FA Cup hat-trick since Steve Bull 39 years ago in 1987.

The Norwegian, who has struggled in the league continues to impress in Cup competitions, taking his combined goals in the EFL and FA Cups to an impressive five in three starts, including one assist.

10. Marli Salmon made FA Cup history 

Young defender Marli Salmon came off the bench in Arsenal's victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park to become the youngest player to feature for the club in an Emirates FA Cup match.

At 16 years and 135 days, he beat Gedion Zelalem’s record from 2014, when the latter was 16 years and 363 days old when he played against Coventry in the competition.