Macclesfield Town achieved a stunning upset in the 2026 FA Cup third round, defeating Premier League side Crystal Palace 2-1 at Leasing.com Stadium, Moss Rose. The victory, secured by goals from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts, represents the largest disparity overcome by a winning team in the competition’s history, with Macclesfield residing 117 places below their opponents in the English football league system. The monumental FA Cup shock occurred on January 10, 2026, marking a high point for the reformed club.
Macclesfield’s Historic FA Cup Upset
The match saw a sixth-tier Macclesfield Town pull off what many are calling the biggest upset in FA Cup history. Crystal Palace, fresh off a Wembley win against Manchester City in the previous year, fielded a team including England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton, yet struggled to break down a determined Macclesfield side. This result throws into question Crystal Palace’s current form and the pressure on manager Oliver Glasner.
A Tale of Two Halves
Paul Dawson opened the scoring for Macclesfield just before halftime, converting a header from a well-placed free-kick. The goal highlighted deficiencies in Crystal Palace’s set-piece defense, a problem that has plagued the team in recent weeks.
Early in the second half, Isaac Buckley-Ricketts extended the lead after a goalmouth scramble following Palace’s inability to clear the lines. Oliver Glasner visibly expressed his frustration at the defensive lapse. The goals gave Macclesfield a two-goal cushion that proved difficult for the Premier League team to overcome.
Palace’s Struggles and a Late Consolation
Despite dominating possession for large portions of the game, Crystal Palace failed to convert their opportunities. The club is currently experiencing a winless streak of nine matches across all competitions, intensifying scrutiny on Glasner, who has been linked with the managerial vacancy at Manchester United.
Yeremy Pino scored a late free-kick for Crystal Palace in the 90th minute, showcasing their attacking quality, but it proved to be only a consolation. The goal came too late to ignite a comeback, sealing a historic victory for Macclesfield. The poor defensive performance proved to be Palace’s downfall.
The victory is especially poignant for Macclesfield, who were forced to reform in 2020 after financial difficulties led to their winding up. Adding to the emotional weight of the win, the club is still mourning the recent loss of young forward Euan McLeod, who tragically died in a car accident last month. The team dedicated their performance to McLeod’s memory and their resilience has been commendable in a difficult period. The club’s revival is a compelling football underdog story.
This loss will undoubtedly prompt a review of Crystal Palace’s squad and tactics. Questions are now being asked about the balance between competing in the Premier League and prioritizing the FA Cup, particularly given their recent success in the latter. Furthermore, the focus will return to their patchy recent form.
Macclesfield, meanwhile, will prepare for the next round of the FA Cup, hoping to continue their remarkable run. Their draw and potential opponents remain uncertain, but the club has already captured the imagination of fans across the country. The upcoming fixtures and potential revenue from this run will be crucial for the financial stability of the club as they continue their rebuild.
The FA Cup fourth-round draw is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026. Attention will be on whether Macclesfield receives a favorable draw or is paired with another Premier League opponent, and how Crystal Palace respond to this significant setback in their next league match against Fulham on January 17th.
Source: https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/m/macclesfield-town-stuns-crystal-palace-in-fa-cup
