Macclesfield 2-1 Crystal Palace: The biggest FA Cup shock ever as sixth-tier side deservedly dump out the holders

Non-league Macclesfield have pulled off the biggest FA Cup giant-killing of all time after deservedly beating holders Crystal Palace 2-1 at the Leasing.com Stadium on Saturday.

The sixth-tier outfit, reformed in 2020 after Macclesfield Town were liquidated, sit 14th in the National League North and are ranked 117 places below Premier League side Palace, meaning this victory represents the biggest upset in FA Cup history in terms of league positions.

The gargantuan gap between the two clubs was non-existent on the pitch, though, as John Rooney’s Macclesfield outperformed a disjointed Palace side who were lifting their first ever major trophy after their last FA Cup game at Wembley just eight months ago.

In front of a sell-out 5,348 attendance, Macclesfield opened the scoring just two minutes before half time when all-action captain Paul Dawson guides a brilliant header into the far corner after meeting a superb free-kick from former Crystal Palace trialist Luke Duffy.

A disgruntled Oliver Glasner was not messing around at half time, as the Eagles boss brought on Tyrick Mitchell, Will Hughes and club-record January arrival Brennan Johnson for the second half, adding to a lineup mixed with youth and experience but still included in-demand duo Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton, as well as £26m summer signing Yeremy Pino.

However, Macclesfield’s unwavering belief never faltered, and their admirable efforts were rewarded just after the hour mark when Isaac Buckley-Ricketts - a former England Under-20 international and Man City academy graduate - stuck a leg out to steer a loose ball it into the bottom corner.

This is what the FA Cup is all about ?

Sixth-tier side Macclesfield FC are 2-0 up against Crystal Palace ?

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That strike from Buckley-Ricketts saw Macclesfield become the first non-league side to score twice in an FA Cup tie against Premier League opposition since Kettering Town versus Fulham in January 2009, as well as the first against the holders since Runcorn against Preston North End back in 1939.

A pinpoint free kick from Palace winger Pino in the 90th minute set up a nervy finish through six minutes of stoppage time, but the Eagles ultimately paid the price for producing a tame performance and Macclesfield held on to claim a historic triumph.

Macclesfield rise from the ashes to claim historic FA Cup win

Macclesfield have become the first non-league team to eliminate the FA Cup holders since none other than Crystal Palace knocked out Wolverhampton Wanderers back in 1908-09 in the first round.

The Silkmen are also the first team to reach the fourth round in their first ever season in the competition since Harlow Town in 1979-80 campaign.

Only nine non-league teams have prevailed against top-flight opponents in the past 100 years of the FA Cup, but this latest triumph from Macclesfield was particularly significant given what the club’s supporters have gone through in recent times.

Still mourning the tragic passing of their 21-year-old forward Ethan McLeod who was killed in a car accident shortly before Christmas, Macclesfield ceased trading almost six years ago before local businessman Robert Smethurst bought the club's assets and reformed a phoenix club along with Robbie Savage.

HISTORY IS MADE! ?

Sixth-tier side Macclesfield FC knock FA Cup holders Crystal Palace out of the competition! ?

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After entering the football pyramid in the ninth tier - North West Counties Premier Division - three promotions in four years lifted the Silkmen into the sixth tier, winning the Northern Premier League title last season after notching up an impressive 109 points.

John Rooney - the younger brother of Wayne Rooney who watched on from the stands with pride against Palace - replaced Savage as Macclesfield head coach in the summer and he was understandably beaming with joy after celebrating the biggest win of his short managerial career.

“I still can’t believe it. I can’t get my head round it. I’m lost for words at the moment,” Rooney told TNT Sports after the match. “I thought we were incredible from the first minute. I thought we were deserved winners and I couldn’t be any prouder of the lads.”

Glasner: “We had no kind of quality... we deserved to lose”

As for Palace, their supporters were left with their heads in their hands. After setting off at 4.00am from South London to travel up to Macclesfield, few of those away fans - if any - would have expected that result and such a poor performance.

The Eagles are now without a win in nine matches across all competitions (D3 L6) and Glasner did no hide his disappointment at full time after suffering an embarrassing defeat.

"We give congratulations to Macclesfield for winning,” Glasner told BBC Sport. “We had no kind of quality today and I saw no one who could win a dribble."

"If you can't create clear chances, it is a lack of quality that we have shown today. We deserved to lose... honestly, I have no explanation for what I have seen today and we can find excuses but you don't need tactics and a manager for these games."

"So I think if you just show what you are capable of and show pride then you perform in a different way."

What next for Macclesfield and Crystal Palace?

Macclesfield will be ball number 30 for the FA Cup fourth-round draw, which will take place on Monday before Liverpool's home encounter with Barnsley.

The Silkmen are next in action in the fourth round of the FA Trophy away against Woking on Tuesday, before playing host to Oxford City in the National League North next Saturday.

As for Palace, they will shift their focus back to the Premier League and a tricky away fixture against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on January 17.