The FA Cup has seen one of the biggest sensations in the history of the competition in the third round. Defending champions Crystal Palace are out of the competition after losing 2-1 to sixth-tier FC Macclesfield.
“It’s clear that we have to win this game,” Crystal Palace coach Oliver Glasner had made unmistakably clear to the BBC ahead of the match. Given the roles of the two teams – the lowest-ranked team remaining was playing against the reigning FA Cup winners – anything else would have been a sensation. But the Eagles struggled from the start on the artificial turf of the Moss Rose Stadium, which holds around 5,000 spectators. Although Glasner had made a few changes to the lineup, there were still enough regular starters on the pitch, including Guehi, Richards, and Wharton.
The sensation then took shape towards the end of the first half when a free kick from the right half of the field by Duffy found the head of Macclesfield captain Dawson, who nodded it into the right corner (43′). The celebrations among the underdogs knew no bounds at this point. Overall, Macclesfield—coached by John Rooney, brother of England icon Wayne—deserved the lead because the visitors had few ideas going forward.
Yeremy’s free kick comes too late
This continued after the break, despite Glasner making three changes and bringing on winter signings Johnson Hughes and Mitchell. Macclesfield then doubled their lead in the 60th minute, sending the Moss Rose Stadium into raptures. Crystal Palace failed to clear the ball from their own penalty area. A deflected long-range shot landed at Buckley-Ricketts, who stuck out his foot and poked the ball over the line.
Crystal Palace, led by coach Glasner, who couldn’t believe his eyes, had their work cut out for them. Uche scored what would have been the equalizer, but the goal was disallowed for offside (69′). Macclesfield now dug in at the back, waiting for what could be the decisive counterattack. Meanwhile, Palace searched for the spark. It was a set piece that kept the visitors’ hopes alive, at least. Yeremy converted a direct free kick before the six minutes of added time began.
Glasner at a loss for words after historic embarrassment
The Eagles tried more crosses from the wings, but without success. And so the referee finally blew the whistle before the spectators stormed the artificial turf and celebrated their heroes in style – after all, they had caused one of the biggest sensations in FA Cup history. For the first time since 1909, the reigning champions were eliminated by a team below the professional leagues.
“Congratulations to Macclesfield on their victory. We lacked any quality today,“ said a stunned Oliver Glasner afterwards. ”When you can’t create any clear chances – we had maybe one or two at the very end – then it’s simply a lack of quality that we showed today. And that’s why we deserved to lose. To be honest, I have no explanation for what I saw today.”
