Shocking Sheffield and Magic Mansfield: Another FA Cup Upset

Drama, Drama, Drama

The third round of FA Cup fixtures is nearly over and we have had some absolute spectacles so far. The FA Cup constantly gives us upsets and shedloads of drama, which fans are loving at every moment.

It was another day of drama as Mansfield Town put four past a hopeless Sheffield United side that, in all fairness, shouldn't have been beaten. Chris Wilder selected a fairly strong side for the afternoon clash; however, that wasn't enough to beat mid-table League One side Mansfield.

There might only be a division between the two sides but Sheffield United were heavy favourites going into the clash, especially with the home crowd behind them. They came into this one off of two impressive wins against Leicester City and Stoke City in the Championship sitting in 16th place after a torrid start to the season.

League One Mansfield had beaten Harrogate Town and Accrington Stanley to reach the FA Cup third round. Nigel Clough's side are enjoying their second consecutive season in the division, sitting in 12th place and will be thoroughly happy with today's performance.

What a goal from @mansfieldtownfc's Louis Reed 🚀

📺 Watch live on @discoveryplusUKpic.twitter.com/SeUdd1QY0U

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2026

How It Happened

Former Sheffield United midfielder and fan Louis Reed deserved all the plaudits today, as his spectacular double will be on replay for days to come.

Reed opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a sensational half volley into the top right corner following a set piece. The midfielder didn't celebrate too harshly against his former club but the grin on his face told enough of the story.

It was a game full of screamers, as the Blades starman Gustavo Hamer rifled a strike into the top left corner, giving Mansfield goalkeeper Liam Roberts absolutely no chance.

On the stroke of half-time though, Louis Reed decided not one but two volleys were needed for revenge against his former club. Whilst there might have been a deflection, his technique was spot on once again and was enough to beat Adam Davies, putting Mansfield 2-1 up at half time.

Chris Wilder's half-time words did not do the trick for The Blades, who conceded five minutes after the half began from a Mansfield counter and brilliant finish from Lucas Akins.

A bad start got even uglier as Rhys Oates got himself on the scoresheet, easily bypassing Sheffield United's defence and putting his side 4-1 up with half an hour to go.

One positive that came from today for Blades fans was another Patrick Bamford goal. He has been impressive in his return to the Championship and, before today's game, committed his future to the club. His goal made it 4-2 in the 61st minute.

An own goal from Nathan Moriah-Welsh four minutes later gave Blades fans some hope going into the latter stages of the second half.

Mansfield did well to hold on after Sheffield United's late fightback and booked their place in the FA Cup Fourth Round with a seven-goal thriller.

Talking Points

History was made today. For the first time in Sheffield United's FA Cup history, they had conceded over four goals in a home match against lower-league opposition.

It was an embarrassment from start to finish. Conceding four at home is bad enough, but to a lower league side is quite shameful.

Luckily in Wilder's case, he won't be sacked anytime soon. He has been The Blades' saving grace in recent times and only just replaced Ruben Selles.

Wilder said after the game that "today was an opportunity for people to stick themselves right in front of me and go, 'Why aren't I playing?" Today's performance did quite the opposite.

Sheffield United's dismay meant Mansfield's delight, as their 4,600 away fans go home the happier set. Their noise spurred the away side on in what was a rather empty Bramall Lane.

Manager Nigel Clough was also thoroughly impressed with his side's performance. He said, "The only disappointing thing is when you go 4-1 up, the second and third goals we concede are very poor from our point of view."

Clough has set high expectations for his side and will believe that they can beat any side that they may potentially face in the next round.

4,800 Mansfield Town fans in the away end at Sheffield United 👏 🦌 #mtfc #Stags pic.twitter.com/irM3YogmjP

— AllAboutLeagueOne (@LeagueOne25) January 11, 2026