FA Cup fans left unimpressed with TNT Goals Show as coverage criticised
Daily mirror January 11, 2026 05:39 AM

Football supporters have taken to social media to give their views on TNT’s coverage of the FA Cup via their TNT Goals Show. The third round of the competition kicked off this weekend with Premier League and Championship teams joining the action.

The weekend sees games kick off at various times due to TV coverage. Four games were shown on Friday night, with Oxford United, Wigan Athletic, Wrexham and Port Vale all making it through to the fourth round.

There were also four early kick-offs on Saturday. While they were available to watch on TNT Sports, the Goals Show was a chance to follow all four at the same time.

The biggest shock of the round so far sawNational League North side Macclesfield beat holders Crystal Palace. While that result proves the magic of the FA Cup is still alive, fans weren’t too happy with some of the coverage of the early games and the 3pm kick-offs on the TNT Goals show.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter ), fans made gave their thoughts with some being critical of the show. One fan said: “TNT’s Goals Show is possibly the worst football-adjacent show I’ve ever seen.

• Arsenal can secure major FFP boost as £139m transfer update emerges

• Marc Guehi confronts furious Crystal Palace fans after humiliating FA Cup defeat

“Not a clue what the pundits are talking about as I’m yet to hear one not talk over another. Why is everything that @tntsports produces on the sports side complete garbage?”

A second added: TNT's Goals Show...don't bother. It's like play time. A third put: “Everyone laughing and joking but you don't see them as they cut from game to game. It's a farce…”

“This TNT FA cup goals show is awful, just pundits no one cares about shouting over each other,” added a fourth.

A fifth said: “TNT, this goals show should at least be the same as the CL show, let us watch a game and go to the goals all over - not sat watching these 4 drone on #FACup”.

There was, however, some praise for the show, with one fan writing on X: "The TNT Sports Goals Show for the FA Cup has been a really good watch. Nice mix between a bit of banter but also keeping the viewers informed about events around the grounds. Really good watch!"

The show involved presenter Matt Smith joined by pundits Fara Williams, Steve McManaman and Kevin Nolan, who gave their thoughts on the matches at the same time as live feeds of the games currently going on are shown on screen.

In February 2024 it was announced that the FA and TNT Sports had agreed a new four-year deal from the current season. The deal sees the broadcaster show live matches from the first round through to the final.

Selected matches from every round will then also be made available free to air. In the third round, the clash between Macclesfield and Crystal Palace was shown live on the BBC as well as on TNT Sports, as will Tottenham's visit from Aston Villa be on Saturday evening.

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.

© Copyright @2026 LIDEA. All Rights Reserved.