Defending Champions Crystal Palace Face Historic FA Cup Upset While Manchester City Demolish Exeter 10-1
Crystal Palace, the current holders, experienced the most astonishing upset in FA Cup records after losing 2-1 to sixth-tier Macclesfield on Saturday, while Antoine Semenyo marked his debut for Manchester City with a goal in their 10-1 thrashing of Exeter.
Just months ago at Wembley in May, Palace created history by defeating City to claim the clubs first major honour in the FA Cup.
This time at Moss Rose, they etched their name in the annals for all the wrong reasons, as skipper Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts netted before and after the interval for the team led by John Rooney, younger sibling of ex-England skipper Wayne Rooney.
The 117-position gap between Premier League side Palace and National League North outfit Macclesfield represents the largest ever bridged by a lower-league side in FA Cup lore.
"I can hardly believe it, we never imagined wed reach this stage," Rooney remarked.
"I never believed it could happen, yet theres that spark of possibility that the unexpected can occur on match day."
Palace manager Oliver Glasner expressed outrage over what he called a absence of "pride" and comical errors in defence from the Eagles, who have now gone nine matches without a victory.
"Ive got no words for the spectacle I witnessed today," stated the Austrian, who has been touted for the open managers position at Manchester United.
Semenyo Nets on Debut
Only a day after his £65 million ($87 million) transfer from Bournemouth, Semenyo contributed to the scoresheet as City dismantled League One side Exeter at the Etihad Stadium.
Erling Haaland featured from the start but surprisingly failed to score prior to his half-time substitution.
Rico Lewis bagged a brace, with Max Alleyne, Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Nico O'Riley, and Ryan McAidoo also finding the net for City, alongside two own goals from Exeter.
Sunderland triumphed in another top-flight clash via penalties following a 1-1 stalemate with Everton.
Robin Roefs denied all three Everton penalties in the shoot-out to propel the Black Cats into the fourth round.
Premier League basement dwellers Wolves extended their unbeaten run to four games after a 6-1 demolition of Shrewsbury, powered by Jorgen Strand Larsens treble.
Fulham required three strikes in the closing 30 minutes to overcome Middlesbrough 3-1 at Craven Cottage, whereas Burnley had little trouble against Championship rivals, smashing Millwall 5-1.
Brentford eased to a 2-0 victory over cash-troubled Sheffield Wednesday.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank desperately requires points to quell doubts about his tenure as they face surging Aston Villa at home later on Saturday.
Liam Rosenior will helm Chelsea for the initial occasion in the 2000 GMT start against Charlton away.