In a stunning turn of events on January 10, Macclesfield pulled off a historic upset by knocking out FA Cup holders Crystal Palace. The semi-professional side, 117 league places below their Premier League opponents, defied the odds with a disciplined and determined performance that will be talked about for years to come.
Despite dominating possession, Palace struggled to create clear-cut chances against Macclesfield, who took the lead through a towering header from Paul Dawson. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts then doubled the advantage with a quick reaction in the box, leaving Palace with a mountain to climb.
Yeremy Pino’s stoppage-time free-kick gave Palace a glimmer of hope, but Macclesfield’s resilience held firm to secure a historic victory, prompting pitch invasions from jubilant fans. The win was a testament to Macclesfield’s courage, belief, and cohesion on the day.
The significance of the victory goes beyond the pitch, as Macclesfield Town had folded in 2020 before being rebuilt by phoenix club founders Robert Smethurst and former player Robbie Savage. The players dedicated their triumph to the memory of late forward Ethan McLeod, adding emotional weight to their achievement.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted his team “deserved to lose” after making six changes to the lineup. He acknowledged Macclesfield’s superior performance and emphasized the importance of showing pride and determination in such games.
This FA Cup upset will go down in history alongside other memorable shocks, solidifying Macclesfield’s place in cup folklore. The result serves as a reminder that anything can happen in football, no matter the difference in league positions.
