"Wrexham started it, by defeating Premier League opposition for the first time in 26 years, then tiny Macclesfield created worldwide headlines by eliminating holders Crystal Palace for the biggest shock in FA Cup history, and then Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United reminded us that some things never change. And yes, there was not even any VAR to spoil, or delay, the fun and anguish that comes with watching your team score or concede a crucial goal."
"So Palace's elimination at the third-round stage against Macclesfield, a team ranked 117-places below Oliver Glasner's side in the English football pyramid, was the ultimate example of the depth of the English game and its ability to keep its giants looking nervously at every potential pitfall in their path. Macclesfield, managed by John Rooney (brother of former Manchester United and England captain Wayne), are a team of part-time players with day jobs."
"It was for one weekend only, but the FA Cup third round was a showcase for the best of football. It's not quite an egalitarian utopia -- Manchester City did score 10 goals against League One side Exeter City, after all -- but English football has become a place where the unexpected is happening more often. This weekend of FA Cup drama took it to a new level."
The FA Cup third round produced dramatic results across English football. Wrexham defeated Premier League opposition for the first time in 26 years, and Macclesfield, a sixth-tier, part-time side, eliminated holders Crystal Palace in the biggest shock in FA Cup history. Manchester City scored 10 goals against Exeter City, showing occasional mismatches, while Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United delivered more familiar outcomes. The round had no VAR interruptions, preserving spontaneous drama. Recent cup history saw Newcastle United end a 70-year domestic trophy drought in 2025 and Palace win major silverware last May, underscoring competitive variety across tiers.
Read at ESPN.com
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