Crystal Palace's FA Cup defense ended in humiliation after a stunning 2-1 defeat to sixth-tier Macclesfield FC, leaving manager Oliver Glasner questioning his team's quality and desire. The loss, arguably the competition's greatest-ever upset, sees the FA Cup holders fall at the first hurdle against a team 117 league places below them. Goals from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts either side of half-time secured a deserved victory for the Silkmen, while a late free-kick from Yéremy Pino was not enough to spark a Palace comeback.

Glasner did not hold back in his assessment of the team's performance, stating he had "no explanation" for their "lack of quality" and that they "deserved to lose". He described Macclesfield's second goal as "slapstick" and said that even the U21s would have played better. "We had no kind of quality today, I saw no one who could win a dribble,” Glasner said. “If you can't create clear chances, it is a lack of quality that we have shown today". He added that the team lacked physical presence, pace and desire, and that "things have to be changed".

The defeat is made even more remarkable considering Macclesfield were reformed in 2020 after Macclesfield Town was wound up. The club is also mourning the recent loss of their forward, Ethan McLeod, who died in a car accident in December. A banner bearing his name was displayed at the game, and his family was in attendance.

Macclesfield manager John Rooney, brother of Wayne Rooney, expressed immense pride in his team's performance. "We were incredible from the first minute," Rooney said. "I thought we were deserved winners". Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, who scored the decisive second goal, described the win as a "surreal feeling".

The last time the FA Cup holders lost to non-league opposition was in 1909 when Crystal Palace, then in the Southern League, beat Wolves. This historic defeat raises serious questions about Crystal Palace's direction under Oliver Glasner. The team's inconsistency has been a growing concern, and this result amplifies the pressure on the manager to find solutions. With their FA Cup journey over, Palace must now focus on their Premier League campaign and their first European campaign, but the sting of this humiliating loss will linger. The crossroads have been reached, and Glasner faces a significant challenge to revitalize his team and restore confidence among the fans.