FA Cup Matchweek: Drama, Giant-Killings, and Classic Cup Magic

The magic of the FA Cup is well and truly alive. The Third Round weekend delivered everything the fans wished for. The historic tournament delivered historic upsets, emotional storylines and elite-level dominance. From non-league fairytales to Premier League collapses, this was a matchweek that reminded everyone why the FA Cup remains sacred.

🏛️ The Shock of the Century: Macclesfield 2–1 Crystal Palace

The story that captivated the nation took place at Moss Rose on Saturday. Macclesfield FC, a sixth-tier side sitting 117 places below the Premier League in the football pyramid, knocked out the defending holders, Crystal Palace. This was a classic FA Cup upset that broke records. Statistically, the most improbable result in the FA Cup’s 155-year history. A non-league side is eliminating the holders for the first time in 117 years. Macclesfield sit 117 places below Crystal Palace in English football. It also marked the first time the holders were knocked out by a non-league side since Crystal Palace knocked out Wolves 117 years ago. Goals from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts saw the National League North side take a 2-0 lead. Despite a 90th-minute Yeremy Pino free-kick for Palace, the "Silkmen" held on for a monumental victory. Managed by John Rooney, brother of English legend Wayne Rooney, Macclesfield pulled off the greatest upset in FA Cup history. The match was a wonderful tribute to teammate Ethan McLeod, who passed away last month.

🔴 Top-Flight Tension: Nightmare at Old Trafford

While Macclesfield celebrated, Manchester United’s season plunged deeper into chaos. Manchester United crashed out of the competition at the first hurdle, succumbing to Brighton at Old Trafford in a crushing 2-1 defeat. Former United striker Danny Welbeck delivered the killer blow after Brajan Gruda opened the scoring for Brighton. The former United striker has a habit of scoring against his former club, and he proved his talents against his former employer once again. Under interim boss Darren Fletcher, United finished with 10 men following Shea Lacey’s red card. Michael Carrick has now been chosen to take the helm at United till the end of the season. The former United player will hope to inspire some confidence in an ailing United side. United are now out of both domestic cups at the first hurdle, with chants against the ownership echoing around Old Trafford, threatening to unravel yet another season for the Red Devils.

🧠 Tactical Highlights: Protagonists and Powerhouses

Arsenal’s Set-Piece Dominance: The Premier League leaders recovered from an early Colby Bishop goal to dominate Portsmouth. Three of Arsenal’s four goals came from corners, highlighting Mikel Arteta’s tactical focus on dead-ball situations.

City’s Ruthless Depth: Pep Guardiola’s side showed no mercy to League One Exeter. New signing Antoine Semenyo look immediate at home, while 17-year-old Ryan McAidoo scored his first senior goal.

Wrexham's Hollywood Ending: In front of owner Ryan Reynolds, Wrexham threw away a 3-1 lead only to reclaim victory in a 4-3 shootout. It was their first top-flight FA Cup scalp in 26 years.

🔮 What’s Next: The Road to Wembley

The Third Round has set a relentless tone for the rest of the competition. For the giants like City and Arsenal, the pressure to deliver silverware grows. While Arsenal and City are still the favourites for the title, underdogs can always cause an upset, as seen in the third round of the FA Cup. If this historic tournament has proven anything over the decades, it's that in the FA Cup, anything is possible. This matchweek proved once again that in the FA Cup, form, money, and reputation mean nothing once the whistle blows.

Wembley feels a little closer yet all the more unpredictable.