ITV and ESPN will go head-to-head with their live FA Cup Third Round replays after the FA announced that both televised ties will be played on the same night.
Both channels have opted to complete the job they started as ITV will show Manchester United’s replay with West Ham United at Old Trafford, while ESPN will be at the Emirates for the return match between Arsenal and Swansea City.
Both televised Third Round replays will be played on the evening of Wednesday, January 16.
ITV covered West Ham’s exciting 2-2 draw with Manchester United at Upton Park on Third Round weekend, while ESPN featured Swansea City’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal as part of their live Sunday double-header.
Of the 11 replays taking place in the Third Round, the other nine matches will be played on Tuesday, January 15. These games will be featured in a special highlights show on ITV the following evening.
The Fourth Round ties will be played on the weekend January 26/27, with five live games to be broadcast on ITV and ESPN which will be announced in due course.
Full details the live FA Cup 3rd Round Replays on TV below:
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Wed 16 Jan – MANCHESTER UTD v WEST HAM UTD – k/o 20:05
Manchester United will face West Ham in their FA Cup Third Round replay exclusively live on ITV.
The sides will have to do battle again after a 2-2 draw at Upton Park on Saturday.
It looked like the Hammers were going to progress, until a spectacular late equaliser from Robin van Persie meant they would have to do it all again at Old Trafford.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side had taken the lead through Tom Cleverley but were pinned back by two headers from Irons defender James Collins.
It looked like West Ham had clinched their place in the Fourth Round before Ryan Giggs’ cross field pass was brought down superbly by Van Persie who side-footed past Jaaskelainen to take the tie back to Manchester.
The winner of the match will face either Fulham or Blackpool in the Fourth Round.
Adrian Chiles presents live coverage from Old Trafford in the first live game to be broadcast on the rebranded ITV, which adopts its new look from January 14.
Match commentary will come from Clive Tyldesley and Andy Townsend.
Coverage will be simulcast as online via itv.com/football.
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Wed 16 Jan – ARSENAL v SWANSEA CITY – k/o 19:30
ESPN has chosen to screen Arsenal’s replay against Swansea City as their FA Cup Third Round replay.
The two sides will meet at the Emirates after an entertaining conclusion to a tie that ended up finishing 2-2 on January 6.
Swansea’s Spanish striker Michu came off the bench to give Michael Laudrup’s side the lead on 58-minutes, before Lukas Podolski and Kieran Gibbs hit quick fire goals inside the last ten minutes to put the Gunners in front.
But Danny Graham sealed a replay for the Swans with just three minutes remaining.
Swansea will hope they can replicate their display in the Barclays Premier League that saw them beat Arsenal 2-0 in north London late last year.
The winners will meet Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium in the Fourth Round.
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ITV′s live FA Cup coverage, as well additional video clips, interviews and analysis, is available to watch for free via the ITV football website – CLICK HERE
There is no live online streaming of ESPN’s live games, but users can read the latest reports and follow all the action via live text commentaries at ESPN.co.uk.
Keep up to date with all the latest FA Cup reports, goal flashes and results by following ITV Football on Twitter (@itvfootball) and ESPN’s feed (@ESPNUK).
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