The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON
Player of the Third Round
Dion Dublin - Norwich City
Arturo Lupoli - Derby County
Jason Puncheon - Barnet
Thomas Rosicky - Arsenal
Thomas Butler - Swansea City
Vote in our online poll on the homepage - Click HereYou will need a free FAN to vote, for more information - Click HereAfter a thrilling FA Cup Third Round which produced an abundance of goals, the highest average attendance since 1981 and a number of genuine 'upsets', TheFA.com can confirm the five nominations for The FA Cup Player of the Round, sponsored by E.ON. Normally the vote opens on the Monday after the Round but that was delayed this time around to allow Reading, Burnley, Barnet and Colchester players the chance to make it into the reckoning.
The holders Liverpool were knocked out by Arsenal, whose victory was in no small part down to two first rate goals from Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Rosicky.
The summer signing from Borussia Dortmund first curled a shot over Jerzy Dudek following a pass from Alex Hleb, and then danced through the Liverpool defence to add a second before half-time.
The Gunners of course went on to win 3-1, earning a home tie with Bolton Wanderers. Tomas earns his nomination from E.ON's Managing Director, Retail, Nick Horler.
Norwich City's veteran striker Dion Dublin rolled back the years in The Canaries' 4-1 away win at Conference side Tamworth. Ricky George of The Daily Telegraph nominated Dion Dublin after scored twice and also set up strike partner Darren Huckerby for both his goals as Peter Grant's side ensured there was no Cup upset in Saturday's lunchtime televised tie.
Along with Nottingham Forest's home upset against Charlton Athletic, arguably the 'shock' of The Third Round was League One side Swansea City defeating Sheffield United 3-0 at Bramhall Lane. David Watters, Editor of The Football and Non League Papers plumped for Swansea's Thomas Butler, the architect of the Welsh club's victory as he produced two cool finishes, as well as earning the penalty that was converted by Leon Brittain, to have boss Kenny Jackett - losing finalist with Watford in 1984 - dreaming of more FA Cup glory.
The Times' Walter Gammie meanwhile selected Derby County's on loan hat-trick hero Arturo Lupoli. Lupoli who finished as Arsenal Reserves' top scorer last season displayed his maturing potential with a hat-trick in the 3-1 home win over Wrexham.
It was Lupoli's first goals in eight games as the East Midlands side continued their fine run which also saw them rise to second in the Championship over Christmas.
Victory for The Rams saw them earn a Fourth Round home tie to League Two's Bristol Rovers.
The final nomination comes from BBC Radio Five Live's Mark Clemmit, who each season follows the competition from the Extra Preliminary Round through to the Final. Mark waited for the conclusion of last night's two fixtures and plumped for Barnet hero Jason Puncheon.
The League Two club are run on a modest budget but are led by Paul Fairclough, no stranger to cup upsets in his time as Stevenage Borough Manager. In the Second Round, The Bees defeated League One club Northampton Town 4-1 after Fairclough had been on duty for half of the week as Manager of the England National Game XI.
Last night, Barnet produced another shock, coming from a goal behind to beat sixth placed Championship Colchester United at Underhill, with Puncheon rifling in an 80th minute winner.
