FA Cup Holders Crystal Palace Lose to 6th-Tier Macclesfield in All-Time Great Upset

Macclesfield FC — the lowest-ranked team left in the FA Cup — recorded one of the greatest shocks in the competition's history as they stunned holders Crystal Palace in a seismic 2-1 victory on Saturday. Goals either side of half-time from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts ensured the Silkmen, who were newly-reformed in 2020, reached the fourth round at the expense of their Premier League opponents.

Looking to make the perfect opening to the defence of the FA Cup crown they lifted last season, Palace calved out the first chance of the game when Yeremy Pino fired just wide after latching onto Christantus Uche’s cute pass.

However, Macclesfield - born from the ashes of Macclesfield Town who were wound up in the High Court six years ago - soon grew into the game, with first Luis Lacey and then Josh Kay going close to breaking the deadlock.

And the home supporters were soon sent into raptures inside Moss Rose when midfielder Dawson - after having his head bandaged following a clash with Palace defender Jaydee Canvot - nodded home after 43 minutes.

Hoping to turn the game on its head, Palace boss Oliver Glasner made three changes at half-time, with January signing Brennan Johnson, midfielder Will Hughes and defender Tyrick Mitchell introduced from the substitutes bench.

But the trio were unable to lift the spirits of the sluggish visitors, who almost went two-nil down when Macclesfield midfielder James Edmondson forced a strong save from Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez.

Continuing to pile the pressure on Palace, winless in their eight games beforehand, the hosts were soon in dreamland when forward Buckley-Ricketts showed incredible penalty-box instincts to stab home after 60 minutes.

With their backs understandably