FA Cup third round attendance highest for 34 years

Over half a million fans watched games over the weekend

73,000 watched Swansea upset Manchester United (GETTY IMAGES)

Average attendances for the FA Cup third round were the highest in 34 years.

Some 548,907 fans watched a total of 29 ties over the weekend, with three more left to play because of postponements, giving an average of 18,297 - the highest for this stage of the competition since the 1979/80 season.

Manchester United's game against Swansea, which saw the Wales side record a first ever win at Old Trafford through a late goal from Wilfried Bony, had the highest gate with 73,190.

There were 59,476 supporters to watch the north London derby between Arsenal and Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium, while 44,103 were at Anfield where Liverpool beat Oldham and Chelsea's visit to Derby attracted a sell-out 32,110 crowd.

PA