FA Cup 3rd Round-Up

Forget the predictable scripts and the safe bets; the FA Cup third round just went absolutely haywire. This weekend wasn't about the big clubs flexing their muscles, but rather about the massive, jaw-dropping collapses that makes this tournament so addictive.

From a non-league miracle in Cheshire to a penalty shootout thriller in North Wales, we just watched the "magic of the cup" tear up the rulebook and send some of the biggest names in the Premier League packing early.

​The headline of the weekend—and perhaps the century—came from Moss Rose, where sixth-tier Macclesfield FC knocked out the defending champions, Crystal Palace. Separated by a staggering 117 places in the football pyramid, this was statistically the most unlikely result in the competition's 155-year history. Macclesfield, managed by John Rooney, delivered a masterclass in grit as captain Paul Dawson opened the scoring with a thunderous header before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled the lead in the second half. Despite a late free-kick from Palace’s Yeremy Pino, the Silkmen held firm through six minutes of agonizing stoppage time to become the first non-league side to eliminate the holders since 1909.

​On Friday night, the Racecourse Ground hosted another classic as Wrexham AFC knocked out Premier League side Nottingham Forest. In a chaotic 3-3 thriller that went to extra time, Forest clawed back from multiple deficits thanks to a Callum Hudson-Odoi brace. However, the night belonged to Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who became the hero in the penalty shootout by saving two crucial spot-kicks. The victory sends the Championship's most talked-about club into the fourth round at the expense of Sean Dyche’s top-flight squad.

​The carnage continued elsewhere as Everton suffered a humiliating exit at home. Following a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, the Toffees failed to score a single penalty in the shootout, crashing out 3-0 on spot-kicks. In the marquee all-Premier League clash of the weekend, Aston Villa secured a clinical 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, leaving Spurs out of all domestic cup competitions, leaving just the Champions League as their only hope for a cup after a dismal display in the league.

Newcastle United narrowly avoided joining the list of casualties, surviving a massive scare against Bournemouth in a marathon penalty shootout that ended 7-6 in favor of the Magpies.

​Amidst the chaos, some of the traditional powerhouses managed to assert their authority. Manchester City showed no mercy to Exeter City, equalling a club record with a 10-1 victory that featured a debut goal from Antoine Semenyo.

Arsenal also faced an early scare at Portsmouth, trailing after just three minutes, but a Gabriel Martinelli hat-trick eventually quelled the rebellion to secure a 4-1 win.

West Ham's blushes were spared after new signing 'Taty' Valentin Castellanos scored in the 98th minute of extra time after some exceptional work on the wing from Jude Summerville. Summerville cruyff turned his QPR counterpart and delivered an inch perfect cross into the six yard box for Taty to head home for his first goal for his new club, giving the Hammer fans something to smile about as they progress into the fourth round draw. 

Additionally, Chelsea fans saw a glimmer of hope as new manager Liam Rosenior began his tenure with a dominant 5-1 win over Charlton.

​With the defending champions out of the running and several Premier League giants already eliminated, the draw for the fourth round on Monday, January 12 is one of the most anticipated in years. Oliver Glasner, the Crystal Palace manager, summarized the weekend perfectly by stating that it was a true David against Goliath story where David deservedly won. The football world now waits to see if Macclesfield can continue their impossible dream or if the remaining heavyweights will finally restore order.