Macclesfield FC Achieves Historic FA Cup Upset Over Crystal Palace

In a competition renowned for its surprising outcomes, the FA Cup witnessed an unprecedented upset on Saturday that will be remembered for years to come.

Nonleague Macclesfield FC achieved a stunning 2-1 victory over defending champions Crystal Palace, a result that reflects the staggering 117-place difference between the two teams in the football league system, making it the most significant upset in the tournament’s 154-year history.

The match had all the hallmarks of a classic cup tie, highlighted by Macclesfield’s captain, Paul Dawson, who opened the scoring. Just moments after receiving treatment for a head injury, Dawson unleashed a powerful header from a deep free-kick to put his team ahead.

The drama intensified when striker Isaac Buckley-Ricketts extended Macclesfield’s lead shortly after the hour mark. Crystal Palace responded with a goal from winger Yéremy Pino, who scored from a free-kick deep into stoppage time. However, the sixth-tier side held their ground, securing a remarkable place in FA Cup history.

This victory marks Macclesfield as the first team to win an FA Cup match against an opponent five tiers above them in the football hierarchy. They also became the first non-league club to eliminate the cup’s defending champions in 117 years, a feat last accomplished by none other than Crystal Palace themselves against Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1909.

The only upset that could rival this match in terms of shock value is Sutton United’s famous 1989 victory over Coventry City, although it is worth noting that Macclesfield competes one division lower than Sutton did at the time.

The final score was Macclesfield 2, Crystal Palace 1, solidifying this matchup as the largest upset in FA Cup history. Prior to this, no team from such a low tier in the English football pyramid had ever defeated a top-flight team, especially against the reigning champions.

In an interesting twist, Macclesfield’s head coach is John Rooney, the brother of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney. John expressed his pride, stating, “I am getting emotional to see my younger brother achieve this… To get through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, and to beat a Premier League team like Crystal Palace? I am so proud of him.”

The history of FA Cup upsets includes notable moments such as Sutton United’s 1989 victory over Coventry City, Chelsea’s shocking loss to Bradford City in 2015, and Crawley Town’s stunning win against Leeds United in 2021. Each of these matches exemplifies the unpredictable nature of the FA Cup, but none can quite compare to Macclesfield’s recent triumph.