In a result that will reverberate through football history, Premier League Crystal Palace suffered a staggering FA Cup humiliation, becoming the first holders since 1909 to be eliminated by a non-league club. Sixth-tier part-timers Macclesfield pulled off one of the competition's greatest ever shocks, defeating the Eagles 2-1 in a seismic third-round tie.
Glasner's Fury as Palace 'Show No Quality'
A visibly seething Oliver Glasner was left almost speechless by his team's catastrophic performance. The Crystal Palace manager lambasted his players, stating they "didn't show any kind of quality" against their part-time opponents. Goals from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, either side of half-time, secured a famous victory for the National League North side, with Yeremy Pino's 90th-minute strike a mere consolation.
"I have no words for this performance today," Glasner admitted. "It's not just losing, it's creating almost no chances. It was really hard to watch. There was no physical presence, no kind of quality in our attack. This is what makes it so disappointing." He revealed a sombre dressing room atmosphere post-match, with players either "angry" or "quiet."
The German boss refused to blame Macclesfield's artificial pitch or suggest his side underestimated their hosts. He was unequivocal in his assessment of the performance required, stating: "With all the respect [to Macclesfield] in a game like this you don't need a tactic... You have to do the right things. We have to score five or six against a non-league team."
Macclesfield's Emotional Triumph for Ethan McLeod
For Macclesfield, the victory was a poignant and historic moment, dedicated to the memory of former teammate Ethan McLeod, who died in a car accident last month aged just 21. Manager John Rooney and defender Sam Heathcote both paid heartfelt tributes, ensuring the triumph was about more than just football.
"We spoke about Ethan being here with us before kick-off," said Rooney. "Seeing his parents after the game was something very special and I'm sure Ethan was looking down on us today." Heathcote, who balances football with his job as a primary school teacher, echoed the sentiment: "A lot of the lads said that at the full-time whistle... that was for him."
A Victory That 'Wasn't Supposed to Happen'
The scale of the achievement was not lost on the Macclesfield players. This marks only the second time the club has ever reached the FA Cup fourth round. Heathcote struggled to comprehend the magnitude of their accomplishment against the top-flight cup holders.
"Something like this is not supposed to happen, is it?" he said. "But we have got a group of lads who are willing to roll their sleeves up and have a go and it's come off for us today. The fans were so loud today and gave us that bit extra to push us on. I am just so proud of everyone."
The result stands as a stark reminder of the FA Cup's enduring magic and capacity for drama, delivering a seismic shock that has etched both Macclesfield's bravery and Crystal Palace's profound disappointment into the competition's rich folklore.
