In one of the most stunning upsets in FA Cup history, defending champions Crystal Palace were dumped out of the competition by non-league side Macclesfield on Saturday, 10th January 2026. The humiliating 2-1 defeat at the home of the National League North outfit prompted an extraordinary scene at full-time, as Eagles captain Marc Guehi directly confronted the club's furious travelling supporters.
A Historic Upset Unfolds
The match, which saw the Premier League holders face a team from the sixth tier of English football, followed a classic giant-killing script. Macclesfield took the lead shortly before half-time through Paul Dawson, sending shockwaves through the stadium. The disbelief turned to delirium for the home fans on the hour mark when Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled the lead, putting the Silkmen firmly in control of a historic result.
Crystal Palace, who memorably won their first major trophy at Wembley just eight months prior, offered a glimmer of hope with a late goal from Yeremy Pino. However, Macclesfield held on for a famous victory, securing their place in the fourth-round draw and etching their name into FA Cup folklore.
Captain Faces the Music
As the final whistle blew, the immediate frustration of the Palace away end was palpable. In a move demonstrating leadership and accountability, skipper Marc Guehi walked over to the supporters to hear their grievances first-hand. The defender bore the brunt of their anger, listening to complaints in the immediate aftermath of one of the club's most embarrassing results in recent memory.
The scene was a stark contrast to the jubilation of May 2025, when Eberechi Eze's goal against Manchester City secured the FA Cup for Palace. This third-round exit represents a catastrophic fall from grace for the South London club in the competition they once conquered.
Managerial Reactions: Pride and Despair
The post-match comments from the two managers highlighted the chasm between the emotions in each camp. Macclesfield boss John Rooney was understandably elated. "I can't believe it, we never thought we would be in this position," he said. "We were incredible from the first minute. I thought we were deserved winners."
For Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, there was only blunt criticism and bewilderment. He congratulated Macclesfield but delivered a scathing assessment of his own team's performance. "We had no kind of quality today and I saw no one who could win a dribble," Glasner stated. He pinpointed a fundamental "lack of quality from everyone" and admitted he had "no explanation for what I have seen today."
Glasner's stark conclusion was that tactics were irrelevant, stating, "you don't need tactics and a manager for these games" if basic pride and capability are not shown.
Aftermath and Looking Ahead
The fallout from this seismic result will resonate for some time. Macclesfield can now look forward to Monday's fourth-round draw, where they will discover which elite club they could host next in their fairytale run. For Crystal Palace, the focus must immediately shift to Premier League survival, with a crucial fixture against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light looming next weekend.
This result serves as a brutal reminder of the magic and unpredictability of the FA Cup, where history can be made and giants can be felled in ninety unforgettable minutes.
