Holders Crystal Palace suffered one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history when they were eliminated in the third round by sixth-placed Macclesfield.
Macclesfield eliminated Crystal Palace from the FA Cup on Saturday (Image: Getty Images)
The magic of the FA Cup is said to be over. Well, try telling that to the Macclesfield fans on Sunday morning. The National League North side expelled Oliver Glasner’s cup holders from the competition on Saturday in what was deemed the biggest shock in FA Cup history.
England’s oldest cup competition has seen some incredible upsets over the years. Teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have all endured humiliation at the hands of lower league teams over the years.
Whether it’s in the third round or the finals, the Giants have always been eliminated in thrilling fashion. Mirror Football ranks among the most shocking results in FA Cup history.
10) Manchester City 0 Wigan Athletic 1 – Final, 2013
Roberto Mancini’s side had finished second in the league that season, and the Citizens’ team, made up of big-money superstars, were playing at Wembley against a Wigan team that was on the brink of relegation from the Premier League.
But the six-time FA Cup winners were shockingly destroyed by Ben Watson’s header. Wigan remain the only team in English football history to win the Cup and be relegated in the same season.
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9) Hereford 2-1 Newcastle – Round 3, 1972
In 1972, non-league Hereford dominated leaders Newcastle. They won a replay after drawing 2-2 at St James’s Park and it looked like the Magpies had won the game late on with a goal from Malcolm McDonald.
However, a stunning strike from Hereford’s Ronnie Radford sent the match into extra time. Ricky George then scored the winning goal. His goal meant Hereford became the first non-league club to beat a First Division team since 1949.
8) Shrewsbury 2-1 Everton – Round 3, 2003
It was written in the stars that former Toffee Kevin Ratcliffe would be the driving force behind his former club’s FA Cup downfall. At the time, the Blues were improving under manager David Moyes and were aiming to qualify for the Champions League.
They also had a young Wayne Rooney in their team. Still, Shrewsbury’s Nigel Jameson scored two goals to knock Everton out of the cup, a team a whopping 80 places below them in the old Third Division.
Everton could not stop Shrewsbury Town in 2003 (Image: 2003 Getty Images)
7) Sutton 2-1 Coventry – Round 3, 1989
Sutton United defeated Coventry, who were then in the First Division and had won the FA Cup in 1987. A goal from Matthew Hanlan leveled the scores and Sutton advanced to the fourth round. Part-time workers have done the unthinkable.
6) Burnley 0 Lincoln City 1 – Round 5, 2017
Lincoln became the first non-league team in 100 years to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals, defeating Sean Dyche’s Premier League opponents Burnley.
Dyche’s side were promoted to the top flight that season and were the only promoted team to avoid relegation that year, proving how tough they could be to beat teams. However, it was Sean Raggett’s goal, later made possible by goal-line technology, that sealed the Clarets’ defeat.
Burnley lost to Lincoln in 2017 (Image: 2017 Getty Images)
5) Yeovil 2-1 Sunderland – Round 4, 1949
Non-League side Yeovil Town faced the Black Cats, who had Len Shackleton, then a British record signing, in the team. Alec Stock put Yeovil ahead, but Sunderland’s Jackie Robinson counterattack sent the game into extra time. The Grovers then put away their First Division opponents in dramatic fashion with a goal from Eric Bryant.
4) Oldham 3-2 Liverpool – Round 4, 2013
Back then, Brendan Rodgers’ Liverpool side included names like Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson and Raheem Sterling, who would lead Manchester City closer to winning the title a season later.
But it was the League One side who, thanks to a double from Matt Smith and a strike from Reece Wabara, defeated the financially troubled club, who at the time had won the FA Cup seven times. Suarez’s goal and Joe Allen’s consolation were a footnote, as was the introduction of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard in the second half.
Oldham beat Liverpool in 2013 (Image: 2013 Getty Images)
3) Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal – Round 3, 1992
It was widely reported that First Division champions Arsenal lost to Wrexham. The Dragons finished the season before sinking to the bottom of the fourth division.
The Gunners looked likely to equalize after Alan Smith gave them a 1-0 lead. Wrexham’s Mickey Thomas and Steve Watkins had other ideas when they broke Arsenal’s hearts with a late goal.
2) Bournemouth 2-0 Manchester United – Round 3, 1984
The Cherries produced one of the biggest upsets in history as young Harry Redknapp’s side defeated the FA Cup holders with goals from Milton Graham and Ian Thompson.
At the time, United were managed by Ron Atkinson and included Bryan Robson. However, it was not enough to prevent them from advancing to the fourth round of the third division league.
1) Macclesfield 2-1 Crystal Palace – Round 3, 2026
This is without a doubt the biggest shock in the long and illustrious history of this tournament. Macclesfield, who are 117 places league-wide below the FA Cup holders, not only achieved a shock win but also fully deserved to progress to the fourth round.
Macclesfield defeated Crystal Palace on Saturday in one of the biggest upsets of the FA Cup (Image: Getty Images)
Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts delighted the home fans as the Eagles lost. A tense finale was set up by a Yeremy Pinot free-kick, but the team, who took home the trophy by beating Manchester City at Wembley in May, were caught in the monumental upset.
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