Hold on to your seats, because this FA Cup weekend just delivered one of the most jaw-dropping upsets in the competition’s storied history—and it’s not even the only drama that unfolded. Crystal Palace, the defending champions, suffered a humiliating 2-1 defeat to sixth-tier Macclesfield Town, marking the largest gap ever bridged by an underdog in FA Cup history. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s woes deepened as manager Thomas Frank’s future hangs by a thread after a 2-1 home loss to Aston Villa. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: while Palace’s fall from grace is historic, it’s just one piece of a weekend packed with shocks, comebacks, and controversial moments that have fans and pundits alike scratching their heads.
Let’s break it down. Crystal Palace, fresh off their fairy-tale FA Cup win at Wembley in May—their first major trophy ever—entered this match as overwhelming favorites. Yet, at Moss Rose, they crumbled against a side managed by John Rooney, brother of England legend Wayne Rooney. Macclesfield’s captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scored either side of halftime, sealing a victory that defied all odds. The 117-place gap between the Premier League’s Palace and Macclesfield in the National League North is now etched in FA Cup lore. “I can’t believe it,” Rooney admitted post-match, echoing the sentiment of every football fan watching. “We never thought we’d be in this position, but there’s always that little bit of hope that anything can happen.”
And this is the part most people miss: Palace’s manager, Oliver Glasner, didn’t hold back in his criticism, slamming his team’s “slapstick” defending and lack of pride. With the Eagles now winless in nine games, questions are swirling about Glasner’s own future, especially as rumors link him to the vacant Manchester United job. Is this defeat the final straw for the Austrian? Or can he turn things around? It’s a debate that’s sure to divide opinions.
Over in North London, Tottenham’s struggles continued as they slumped to their 11th loss in 14 games. Villa’s Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers dominated the first half, leaving Spurs chasing shadows. While Wilson Odobert pulled one back, it wasn’t enough to salvage a result, and Frank was booed off the pitch. With Spurs’ FA Cup drought stretching back to 1991, fans are losing patience. But here’s a controversial take: Is Frank the problem, or is Tottenham’s squad simply not up to par? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Elsewhere, Manchester City flexed their muscles with a 10-1 demolition of Exeter, handing new signing Antoine Semenyo a dream debut with a goal. Yet, the real surprise? Erling Haaland, the goal machine, was substituted at halftime without finding the net. Meanwhile, Newcastle and Bournemouth delivered a thriller, with the Magpies edging a 7-6 penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw. Aaron Ramsdale’s heroics saved the day, but it was Anthony Gordon’s 95th-minute equalizer that kept Newcastle alive. And this is the part most people miss: Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier scored in stoppage time during extra time, only to see his team fall short in penalties. Talk about a rollercoaster!
Other highlights? Sunderland needed penalties to edge past Everton, thanks to Robin Roefs’ flawless goalkeeping. Wolves thrashed Shrewsbury 6-1, with Jorgen Strand Larsen’s hat-trick stealing the show. Fulham mounted a late comeback to beat Middlesbrough 3-1, while Burnley crushed Millwall 5-1. Brentford eased past Sheffield Wednesday, and Chelsea, under interim boss Liam Rosenior, kicked off their campaign away at Charlton.
So, what’s the biggest takeaway from this FA Cup weekend? Is it Macclesfield’s historic upset, Tottenham’s deepening crisis, or the sheer unpredictability of the competition? Here’s a thought-provoking question: In an era of super-clubs and billion-dollar squads, do giant-killings like Macclesfield’s remind us of football’s magic—or expose the fragility of elite teams? Share your thoughts below, and let’s keep the debate alive!
