Macclesfield, a sixth-tier non-league side, produced arguably the biggest upset in FA Cup history by defeating Premier League holders Crystal Palace 2-1 at home. The 117-place gap between the teams in the English football pyramid made the result seismic, with Palace becoming the first cup holders to lose to non-league opposition since 1909.
Goals from captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts either side of half-time stunned the star-studded visitors, who included three of their cup-winning side in Adam Wharton, Chris Richards and Marc Guéhi. Yeremy Pino’s late free-kick set up a nervy finish, but Macclesfield held on to spark ecstatic scenes and a pitch invasion.
Manager John Rooney, brother of former Manchester United striker Wayne, dedicated the win to teammate Ethan McLeod, who died in a car accident last month. “It still doesn’t feel real,” said Rooney. “I thought we were incredible and deserved winners on the day.”
Macclesfield’s part-time squad, whose players work as teachers, lawyers and in property, dominated their illustrious opponents throughout. Dawson, playing with a bandaged head after an early collision, scored a powerful header from Luke Duffy’s free-kick before Buckley-Ricketts added a scrappy second.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted it was a “David against Goliath story” and refused to make excuses. “To explain that performance, or try to find some excuse, would be completely wrong,” he said. The win sets up a fourth-round tie for Macclesfield, with Rooney hoping for a big away trip but cherishing the moment for their fans.
