1980–81 FA Cup Third round proper Third round proper

| Tie_no | Home_team | Score | Away_team | Date_ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bury | 1–1 | Fulham | 3 January 1981 |
| Replay | Fulham | 0–0 | Bury | 6 January 1981 |
| Replay | Bury | 0–1 | Fulham | 12 January 1981 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 4–1 | Altrincham | 3 January 1981 |
| 3 | Preston North End | 3–4 | Bristol Rovers | 3 January 1981 |
| 4 | Southampton | 3–1 | Chelsea | 3 January 1981 |
| 5 | Leicester City | 3–0 | Cardiff City | 3 January 1981 |
| 6 | Notts County | 2–1 | Blackburn Rovers | 3 January 1981 |
| 7 | Nottingham Forest | 3–3 | Bolton Wanderers | 3 January 1981 |
| Replay | Bolton Wanderers | 0–1 | Nottingham Forest | 6 January 1981 |
| 8 | West Bromwich Albion | 3–0 | Grimsby Town | 3 January 1981 |
| 9 | Derby County | 0–0 | Bristol City | 3 January 1981 |