"And that is the last kick of the match. One of the greatest FA Cup giantkillings has happened here in the sunshine at the Moss Rose. The holders, Crystal Palace, have been knocked out. What a turnaround of fortunes for Crystal Palace: winners at Wembley in May, losers in Macclesfield in January. John Murray, speaking on BBC radio, provided the epitaph to Palace's dismal, desperate defeat by a mid-table team from the National League North."
"The fact that the last kick was propelled into the sky by the Silkmen's captain Paul Dawson was apposite. Dawson had set the tone from the outset. Within 10 seconds of kick-off he had put in the first of countless robust challenges, which ended up with him and Palace centre-back Jaydee Canvot requiring treatment after an accidental clash of heads. The 19-year-old Frenchman looked dazed and confused, a harbinger for Palace's muddled performance."
"In a lovely little moment, one of his teammates had to repair the dressing just before the freshly patched-up Dawson headed in the opening goal. The difference in the attitude of the two sides was as wide as the relative standings of the clubs. The Macclesfield players bristled with energy and commitment; Palace's team were listless and lethargic. As a result, pretty much every 50/50 challenge was won by the home side."
Macclesfield defeated Crystal Palace at the Moss Rose to eliminate the FA Cup holders in a historic upset. The win overcame a 117-place gap in the football pyramid, the largest in 155 years of the competition. Captain Paul Dawson set the tone with early robust challenges, endured a clash of heads, returned bandaged and scored the opening goal. Macclesfield displayed energy, commitment and dominance in 50/50s, while Palace appeared listless and lacking passion despite having several recent Wembley starters. The result represented a dramatic reversal of fortunes for the holders.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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