Macclesfield knock out holders Palace in greatest FA Cup upset, Man City put 10 past Exeter

MACCLESFIELD, England, Jan 10 : Minor-league Macclesfield delivered ‌the biggest upset in FA Cup history on Saturday by stunning holders Crystal Palace 2–1 in a third‑round thriller, knocking Oliver Glasner's team out of the competition and sending the Moss Rose crowd into raptures.

Manchester City humbled Exeter City 10-1, Aston Villa won 2-1 at Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United beat Bournemouth on penalties after a dramatic 3-3 draw and Sunderland knocked out Everton in a shootout.

Captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts struck in each half as hosts Macclesfield , coached by Wayne Rooney's younger brother John, bridged a gap of 117 places in England's football pyramid, an FA Cup record.

"I can't believe it, we never thought we would be in this position," John Rooney told the BBC. "We were incredible from the first minute. I thought we were deserved winners. I couldn't be any prouder of the lads."

Dawson rose to head home a curled free kick from Luke Duffy in the 43rd minute. ‌Buckley-Ricketts doubled their lead in the 60th minute when he twisted his body to wrong-foot Palace goalkeeper Walter Benitez in front of a ‌delirious crowd at Moss Rose, which hosted an Under-nines practice earlier in the day.

Palace's Yeremy Pino scored with a stunning free kick in the 90th minute to make for nervy added-time minutes but Macclesfield hung on for a remarkable victory.

"I was surprised (with the win), the gaffer gave us a game plan and we all stuck to it," said Dawson, who played most of the match with a bandaged head to cover a gash.

"Macclesfield means the world to me. It's an immense achievement. I am proud of the boys and proud of the fans. It's a really big community club."

Palace boss Glasner, who gave the club its first