Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Macclesfield FC Shocks Crystal Palace in FA Cup Upset

1/10/2026

45 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Macclesfield FC defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 in a match honoring Ethan McLeod, delivering the FA Cup's biggest upset in history.
The teams were separated by a 117-place gap in the league standings.
Captain Paul Dawson scored the opener just before halftime.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled Macclesfield's lead.
Coach John Rooney, brother of Wayne Rooney, expressed immense pride in his team's performance and dedication to McLeod's memory.

History

Historical Context

The FA Cup has a rich history of upsets, exemplified by West Ham United's 1-0 victory over Arsenal in 1980, witnessed by 100,000 fans at Wembley Stadium. This unpredictability highlights the tournament's significance in English football, where underdog victories, like Macclesfield FC's recent win over Crystal Palace, continue to inspire community pride and celebrate the spirit of competition.

1 of 2

Story summary

Macclesfield FC defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 in a match honoring Ethan McLeod, delivering the FA Cup's biggest upset in history.
The teams were separated by a 117-place gap in the league standings.
Captain Paul Dawson scored the opener just before halftime.
Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled Macclesfield's lead.
Coach John Rooney, brother of Wayne Rooney, expressed immense pride in his team's performance and dedication to McLeod's memory.

1 / 2