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FA Cup: Title-holder Crystal Palace lose to Macclesfield in massive upset, Man City score 10 past Exeter

Non-league Macclesfield knocked out defending champions Crystal Palace 2-1, delivering the biggest upset in the history of the FA Cup, while Manchester City hammered Exeter City 10-1 on Saturday.

Macclesfield stun defending FA Cup champions Crystal Palace 2-1, Manchester City score 10 goals past Exeter City.
Macclesfield stun defending FA Cup champions Crystal Palace 2-1, Manchester City score 10 goals past Exeter City. Credit:Reuters/Jason Cairnduff, REUTERS/Peter Powell
| Updated on: Jan 11, 2026 | 10:55 AM
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New Delhi: Non-league Macclesfield knocked out FA Cup title holders Crystal Palace 2-1, delivering the biggest upset in the history of the tournament on Saturday, January 10. Captain Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts netted in each half for the home side, which is coached by Wayne Rooney's younger brother, John.

Dawson headed home a curled free kick from Luke Duffy in the 43rd minute of the match. Buckley-Ricketts doubled their lead in the 60th minute, clipping the ball with the outside of his right foot past goalkeeper Walter Benítez. Palace's Yeremy Pino netted with a stunning free kick in the 90th minute of the match but Macclesfield hung on in the nervy added time for a remarkable victory.

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"I can't believe it, we never thought we would be in this position. We were incredible from the first minute. I thought we were deserved winners. I couldn't be any prouder of the lads," John Rooney told the BBC.

"I was surprised (with the win), the gaffer gave us a game plan and we all stuck to it, Macclesfield means the world to me. It's an immense achievement. I am proud of the boys and proud of the fans. It's a really big community club," said Dawson.

Sixth-tier Macclesfield are the first non-league club to eliminate the defending FA Cup champions since Crystal Palace knocked out Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1908-09 first round. Macclesfield footballers were also playing with heavy hearts after forward Ethan McLeod passed away in a car accident while travelling back from an away match last month.

Manchester City thrash Exeter City

Antonie Semenyo scored on his Manchester City debut as the Pep-Guardiola side hammered Exeter City 10-1, matching their biggest victory in the competition. Manchester City were in complete control from the start and effectively settled the contest before half-time.

This was City’s biggest victory under manager Pep Guardiola and their heaviest FA Cup win in decades, matching a 10-goal margin last seen in 1987. Guardiola watched the game from the stands due to a one-match touchline ban, with assistant Pep Lijnders overseeing the match proceedings.

In other matches, Newcastle United beat Bournemouth 7-6 on penalties after a thrilling 3-3 draw in extra time. Aston Villa defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1, while Chelsea thrashed Charlton 5-1. Fulham beat Middlesbrough 3-1, Brentford defeated Sheffield Wednesday 2-1, and Burnley thrashed Millwall 5-1.

Wolverhampton Wanderers also thrashed Shrewsbury Town 6-1, while Sunderland beat Everton on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Stoke City edged Championship leaders Coventry City 1-0, Southampton defeated Doncaster Rovers 3-2, and Ipswich Town beat Blackpool 2-1.

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