FA Cup news: Winners and losers from the third round as Macclesfield upset holders Crystal Palace

The FA Cup delivered another classic weekend of football, once again showcasing the magic of multi-tier clashes.

Here, Sports News Blitz writer Eloise Stevens breaks down the winners and losers from the third round.

Winner – Macclesfield

Macclesfield manager John Rooney was the first to admit that a victory against Premier League side Crystal Palace, who stand 117 places above them, seemed unlikely.

However, he insisted his team would approach the game with determination and courage, qualities which their opponents clearly lacked and which ultimately proved decisive. 

Captain Paul Dawson gave the Silkmen the lead before half-time, with Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubling their advantage just after the hour mark. 

A late goal from Yeremy Pino for Crystal Palace made the dying stages nervous, but Macclesfield held firm until the final whistle. 

The victory was made all the more poignant as the club continues to mourn the recent loss of player Ethan McLeod, who tragically died in a car accident on 16 December while travelling home from a game. 

Macclesfield are now the lowest-ranked team still left in the competition, currently sitting 14th in the National League North.

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Loser – Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace were undoubtedly the biggest losers of the weekend, surrendering their hopes of retaining the cup with a feeble performance against Macclesfield, who are five leagues below them. 

The last time holders of the FA Cup were knocked out by a non-league side was in 1909, when Wolves were defeated by, coincidentally, Crystal Palace in the first round.

Manager Oliver Glasner said his squad lacked quality on the pitch despite dominating possession, failing to take control until it was too late. 

The Eagles have now failed to win a match in any competition since 11 December, with this result being just another in a worrying run of poor form.

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Winner – Manchester City

Manchester City became the first team in over 65 years to put double figures on the scoresheet in the FA Cup when they put 10 past Exeter to claim victory. 

Tottenham were the last side to achieve the feat, beating Crewe 13-2 in a fourth-round replay back in 1960. 

Following three consecutive Premier League draws, Pep Guardiola took no prisoners with regard to squad selection as only Phil Foden was afforded a rest. 

This provided the opportunity for seven different goalscorers to showcase their talent, with Antoine Semenyo scoring on his debut after his move from Bournemouth. 

Despite this, one goal did come courtesy of the opposition and star striker Erling Haaland failed to find the net. 

Man City will look to carry this momentum forward when they face Newcastle United in the EFL Cup before next weekend’s Manchester derby.

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Loser – Exeter City

There was very little for the 7,800 travelling Exeter fans to shout about in their game against Man City in what was always going to be a daunting task. 

They did look like they could have taken the lead early on had Liam Oakes’s header from a corner not been tipped over the bar by City goalkeeper James Trafford. 

It was all downhill from there, however, as they conceded 10 goals to their opponents, two of which were scored by their very own Jake Doyle-Hayes and Jack Fitzwater in a matter of minutes. 

George Birch was able to offer some consolation to the visitors at the Etihad when he got one back for his side in the 90th minute, but it came 10 goals too late.

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Winner – Wrexham

Wrexham produced a commanding display to progress into the fourth round after a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Nottingham Forest.

The Championship side were 2-0 up at half time and appeared on course for victory when Dominic Hyam restored their two-goal cushion following Igor Jesus’ strike for Forest.

However, Callum Hudson-Odoi reignited Forest’s hopes with two late goals, sending the tie to penalties.

Arthur Okonkwo proved the hero, saving spot-kicks from both Jesus and Omari Hutchinson to seal Wrexham’s place in the next round.

It was yet another fairytale chapter in Wrexham’s continuing Hollywood story.

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Loser – Tottenham

No one was under more pressure than Thomas Frank ahead of Tottenham’s FA Cup clash with Aston Villa following a recent run of poor results. 

Spurs have won just one of their last five matches and the crowd spared the Dane no mercy as chants of “You’re getting sacked in the morning” and “Thomas Frank is an Arsenal fan” rang out through the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Frank, remember, was pictured inadvertently drinking from a Gunners-branded coffee cup before the Premier League defeat at Bournemouth. 

Needless to say, being 2-0 down at half time did little to quell the fire and Wilson Odobert’s second-half goal was a mere consolation prize. 

And prizes are something that will be hard to come by for Tottenham as their positions in the Premier League and Champions League show little chance of silverware. 

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