Get ready for a thrilling journey through the biggest FA Cup shock in history! The David vs. Goliath battle that left the football world in awe.
In a competition that thrives on upsets, the FA Cup delivered an epic surprise on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Non-league underdogs, Macclesfield FC, pulled off an incredible feat by defeating the reigning champions, Crystal Palace, with a well-earned 2-1 victory. This match, with its 117-place gap between the teams, stands as the most significant upset in the tournament's 154-year legacy.
The game had all the elements of a classic cup tie. Macclesfield's captain, Paul Dawson, etched his name into FA Cup folklore by scoring the opening goal. In a heart-pumping moment, a teammate quickly bandaged Dawson's head just before he thundered home a deep free-kick. The drama intensified as striker Isaac Buckley-Ricketts extended Macclesfield's lead, only for Palace's Yéremy Pino to score a late free-kick, adding a twist to the tale.
But here's where it gets controversial... Is this truly the biggest shock in FA Cup history? Macclesfield, from the sixth tier, created a piece of history by becoming the first team to beat an opponent five divisions above them. They also achieved the remarkable feat of knocking out the defending champions, an accomplishment not seen in 117 years. The last team to do so? None other than Crystal Palace themselves, back in 1909.
Let's delve into the top five biggest upsets in FA Cup history, ranked:
Macclesfield 2-1 Crystal Palace: This match takes the crown as the ultimate upset. No team from such a low division has ever defeated a top-flight club, especially the competition's holders. And to add a personal touch, Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney's brother, John, is Macclesfield's head coach. Rooney expressed his emotions, saying, "I am so proud of him."
Sutton United 2-1 Coventry City, 1989: A revered upset, this match saw top-flight Coventry, the FA Cup winners two years prior, fall to Sutton of the Conference, the top non-league division. Tony Rains and Matthew Hanlan's goals secured Sutton's place in history as the first non-league side to beat top-tier opposition in decades.
Chelsea 2-4 Bradford, 2015: Premier League giants Chelsea seemed destined for an easy win, leading 2-0 against League One's Bradford. But the Bantams fought back, stunning Chelsea with four goals from Jon Stead, Filipe Morais, Andy Halliday, and Mark Yeates, sending Jose Mourinho's team packing.
Crawley Town 3-0 Leeds United, 2021: In a recent giant-killing, League Two's Crawley defeated Premier League's Leeds United, despite a 62-place gap. The Reds' dominance was so overwhelming that they even brought in a reality TV star as a substitute for the final minutes.
Newport County 2-1 Leicester City, 2019: With a 74-place difference, Newport feared the worst against Premier League champions Leicester City. But an 85th-minute penalty converted by Padraig Amond secured their victory, giving Newport their first win over top-flight opposition in the FA Cup third round since 1963-64.
And this is the part most people miss... The FA Cup is a tournament where magic happens, where the unexpected becomes reality. It's a reminder that in football, anything is possible. So, what do you think? Is Macclesfield's victory the biggest upset ever? Or does another match from this list deserve that title? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's spark a friendly debate!
