Sports
FA Cup: Holders Crystal Palace crash out after 2-1 defeat to Macclesfield
Crystal Palace’s defence of the FA Cup ended in stunning fashion after the Premier League side suffered a 2-1 defeat to sixth-tier Macclesfield, one of the biggest upsets ever recorded in the competition.
The loss marked a historic moment in the FA Cup, as the 117-place gap between Palace and Macclesfield in the English football ladder is the widest ever overturned by a lower-league team in the tournament’s history.
Macclesfield captain Paul Dawson opened the scoring before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts added a second goal shortly after the break to seal a famous victory.
The win was even more remarkable for the non-league side, who were forced to reform in 2020 after the club was shut down due to unpaid debts.
Macclesfield are also still coming to terms with the death of forward Euan McLeod, who died aged 21, less than a month ago after a car accident when he was travelling home after a match.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who has been linked with the vacant managerial post at Manchester United, made six changes but his starting line-up still included England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton.
Palace are now winless in nine games in all competitions and set-piece defending has been at the heart of that slump.
Macclesfield took full advantage when Dawson powered in a header from a free-kick just before half-time.
Glasner turned his back in disbelief at the goalmouth scramble that led to the sixth-division side’s second goal.
Buckley-Ricketts prodded past Walter Benitez from close range on the hour after Palace fluffed multiple opportunities to clear the danger.
Spanish international Yeremy Pino’s pinpoint free-kick in the 90th minute showed the quality the Premier League side possess.
But they could not save themselves from going down in history for the wrong reasons just months on from beating Manchester City at Wembley to win a major trophy for the first time.
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