Sixth-tier Macclesfield stun Crystal Palace in historic FA Cup shock

Macclesfield pulled off the biggest shock in FA Cup history, beating Crystal Palace 2-1 to eliminate the Premier League side. The sixth-tier team, playing in the National League North, overcame 117 places difference in the football pyramid—a record gap for an FA Cup upset.

Captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts scored either side of half-time for Macclesfield, a club that had to reform in 2020 after being wound up for unpaid debts. The victory comes just weeks after the club lost forward Euan McLeod, 21, in a car accident.

Palace boss Oliver Glasner made six changes but still fielded England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton. The Premier League side are now winless in nine games across all competitions, with set-piece defending blamed for their slump. Palace's Yeremy Pino scored a 90th-minute free-kick but it proved only a consolation.

The defeat comes months after Palace beat Manchester City at Wembley to win their first major trophy. For context, Macclesfield's win represents one of the greatest giant-killings in English football history.

SOURCE: https://guardian.ng/sport/crystal-palace-stunned-by-macclesfield-in-biggest-ever-fa-cup-shock/