The third round of the FA Cup is one of the most exciting weekends in the footballing calendar.

It is a time when non-league clubs usually have their moment of fame, when David meets Goliath, when players and managers alike are thrust into the spotlight.

Although the third round of the world’s oldest football competition will not feature any non-league sides this season, there are still some Football League clubs who will be out to topple a Premier League giant.

First, the world’s most expensive defender, Virgil van Dijk, write himself into Anfield folklore on his debut by heading in a late winner in front of the Kop as Liverpool beat city rivals Everton 2-1.

Also on Friday, Romelu Lukaku – another player who was signed for £75million – returned from a head injury to wrap up a 2-0 victory for 12-time winners Manchester United against Championship high-flyers Derby at Old Trafford following Jesse Lingard’s stunning opener.

Jamie Vardy’s much-hyped Fleetwood return may have be scuppered by a groin injury but it did not stop local businesses making the most of the occasion.

A fan orders a pint of ‘Vardy Returns’ at the Strawberry Gardens Pub (Dave Thompson/PA)

The Strawberry Gardens pub launched a limited edition ‘Vardy’s Return’ ale in his honour wit the England international having spent nine months with the then non-league outfit from August 2011, scoring 34 goals in 42 games to help them clinch promotion to the Football League before attracting the attention of the Foxes.

The sort of quirky sponsorship deal which typically crops up around the third round also meant the Cod Army’s goalkeeper Chris Neal finished the game with a year’s supply of pizza having been promised a month’s worth for every seven-and-a-half minutes he kept the Foxes at bay.

He barely had a save to make as the visitors’ multi-million pound forward line misfired.

There was a family affair at St James’ Park as Elliot and Olly Lee were unable to help League Two leaders Luton cause an upset against Premier League side Newcastle, for whom their father, Rob, made 382 appearances.

Ayoze Perez scored twice and Jonjo Shelvey helped himself to a third before the break. Luton launched a concerted second-half fightback after Danny Hylton replied four minutes into the second half and then saw a second ruled out for offside before substitute Elliot Lee rattled the crossbar with a curling free-kick.

Shrewsbury’s name will be in the hat for the fourth round draw after hold West Ham to a goalless draw at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Jon Nolan missed a chance to emerge as the home side’s hero after firing over late on following good work by Max Lowe on the left hand side.

Harry Kane scored twice in as many minutes for Tottenham who beat Wimbledon 3-0 at Wembley.

The League One visitors frustrated Mauricio Pochettino’s side for 63 minutes before Kane’s double gave Tottenham control of the cup tie.

Jan Vertonghen’s goal with 19 minutes remaining ensured there would be no cup shock.

Shocks

Jack Grimmer celebrates scoring Coventry's second goal against Stoke
Jack Grimmer celebrates scoring Coventry’s second goal against Stoke (Nigel French/PA)

Jack Grimmer’s winner saw the end of Mark Hughes as Stoke boss after Coventry dumped the Potters out.

Defender Grimmer struck in the second half to earn the Sky Blues a 2-1 third-round win with Hughes later sacked by the Premier League club.

Charlie Adam had cancelled out Jordan Willis’ opener but Sky Bet League Two outfit Coventry outfought and outfoxed Stoke at the Ricoh Arena.

Mark Robins guided Coventry to a shock win over Stoke
Mark Robins guided Coventry to a shock win over Stoke (Nigel French/PA)

Coventry boss Mark Robins scored the goal in 1990 against Nottingham Forest which is widely accepted to have saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job at Manchester United, a team which included Hughes.

Now Hughes’ former team-mate could have condemned him to the sack after a deserved victory for the home side.

Three goals inside the final 15 minutes earned League One Peterborough a 3-1 win at Aston Villa, who had taken the lead through Keinan Davis.

Premier League strugglers Bournemouth required a stoppage-time equaliser from Steve Cook to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to League One leaders Wigan.

On Sunday, the action started at Rodney Parade where Leeds United were the visitors facing a Newport County side 53 places below the football pryamid.

When Leeds took a ninth minute lead Gaetano Berardi and still held it with 14 minutes to go, many thought Newport’s cup run was over.

But it wasn’t as Conor Shaughnessy’s own goal and Shawn McCoulsky’s dramatic winner in the 89th minute completed a remarkable turnaround for the Welsh side.

Leeds’ misery was compounded with the red card shown to Samuel Saiz following McCoulsky’s goal.

Nottingham Forest ensured Arsenal’s impressive run in the FA Cup came to an end as the Championship side won 4-2.

Nottingham Forest produced a fantastic performance to knock holders Arsenal out following a 4-2 win at the City Ground.

American defender Eric Lichaj scored twice for the home side either side of Per Mertesacker’s 23rd minute equaliser.

Ben Brereton’s penalty restored Forest’s two-goal lead but Danny Welbeck’s goal 11 minutes from time kept Arsenal’s hopes alive.

But Kieran Dowell’s spot kick decided the tie before Joe Worrall’s red card left Forest to see out the game with 10 men.

Arsenal were looking to win the trophy for the fourth time in five seasons.