Crystal Clear

In 1988; the most one-sided final was taking place: Liverpool v Wimbledon. It was supposed to be a wash-out. Except Wimbledon didn't read the script. In perhaps the greatest upset ever; Lawrie Sanchez flicked home Dennis Wise's free-kick (a goal I can still see in my mind) and Dave Beasant saved John Aldridge's penalty to complete Wimbledon's fairy-tale win.

In 1992, Wrexham beat Arsenal 2-1 in another huge upset. Wrexham were in the lowly 4th tier; and Arsenal were the reigning league champions. It dun get any bigger than that. In 2015, Jose Mourinho's Chelsea were inexplicably beaten by Bradford City 2-4 at home after having gone 2-0 up. And in 1984; Third Division Bournemouth somehow beat Manchester United (with Bryan Robson) 2-0 in the 3rd Round.

Now there's an upset that beats them all. Unheard of Macclesfield; playing in the 6th tier of English football and a whopping 117 places below high-flying Crystal Palace; the defending champions no less; have beaten them 2-1 in the 3rd Round. Palace may nave rested some players but they still had the likes of England internationals Marc Guehi & Adam Wharton; USA international Chris Richards and Spanish international Yeremy Pino. What's more: they are managed by John Rooney; the younger brother of England legend Wayne; and Francis Jeffers; with a strong Everton connection. The magic of the Cup is very much alive.