POV: The Magic Is Still Alive (Joe Citrone)

Star Sports’ social media assistant and football writer JOE CITRONE reacts to one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history…

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Wow. We didn’t see that coming, did we?

On Saturday, the holders of the FA Cup, Crystal Palace, were knocked out in the third round by National League North side Macclesfield FC after falling to a 2-1 defeat at Moss Rose in one of the biggest shocks the competition has ever seen.

From a Crystal Palace perspective, the fallout is yet to come, with an uncomfortable few weeks ahead potentially in the offing after such a humiliating result, and with the futures of manager Oliver Glasner and star defender Marc Guehi still up in the air.

However, when moments like this come around, it’s the joy of it all that deserves the focus, and that’s exactly what everyone associated with Macclesfield FC will be experiencing on Sunday morning (as well as some sore heads, I imagine!).

After such a horrible period for the fans, following the previous incarnation of the club, Macclesfield Town, going out of business in 2020, it was a particularly special moment for them to enjoy.

For the players, who are still mourning the loss of close teammate Ethan McLeod following his tragic death in a car accident last month, the moment was just as special. Seeing Ethan’s parents celebrate with the squad and share that dressing room moment afterwards would surely have brought tears to eyes across the nation.

There has been so much talk about the FA Cup losing its magic and fading into insignificance in recent years, but Saturday’s game at Moss Rose felt like the competition stirring back to life, proving it can still deliver some of the most amazing, surprising and heart-warming stories the sport has to offer.

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