FOR the first time in many seasons, the footballing fates appear to have handed Nuno’s West Ham a little leg-up as the draw for the third round of the FA cup took place this evening.
Most hardened Hammers supporters expected the worst with the usual, deflating reality-crashing draw of an away trip to Anfield, The Etihad or Old Trafford normally ending West Ham’s cup aspirations, along with their season, to all intents and purposes, in the second week in January.
It has, after all, been forty five years since the Irons’ late and much loved skipper Billy Bonds lifted the cup in 1980.
Just for a change, West Ham have been given a HOME draw in January- and what is more, they will not be taking on any of the Premier League’s big hitters.
It is to be a London derby as the Hammers have been drawn at home against Queens Park Rangers, currently sitting in tenth spot in the Championship. A spicy London cup derby early in January. What could be better.
West Ham must have expectations of progressing – the competition offering at least a temporary diversion from the perils of Premier League survival: A good old fashioned rollicking cup encounter with our West London neighbours something to warm the heart and stir the memory.
Providing we win!
Highlights of the draw:
West Ham United v Queens Park Rangers
Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa (Hah)
Manchester City v Exeter City
Burnley v Millwall
Matches to be played across the weekend of Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 January 2026.
A cup London derby in the new year – brilliant! Roll on 2026.
Need QPR to get promoted some time, so can look forward to this match more often.
Proper cup ties for a change
West Ham
Arsenal at Pompey
Takes me back to when it meant something
Let’s not throw this opportunity away.
I remember we beat QPR 2-1 at home on our way to winning the cup in 1975. Just saying……