RANKED: THE BIGGEST FA CUP UPSETS OF ALL TIME
Given a team from the sixth tier of English football had never knocked out a top-flight side, and the holders had never lost to non-league opposition, Macclesfield’s victory over Crystal Palace has a strong case to be considered the biggest FA Cup shock of all time. Telegraph Sport looks at the other major upsets to rival it.
10) Burnley 0 Lincoln City 1
FA Cup fifth round, 2017
Under the stewardship of the Cowley brothers, Lincoln became the first non-league side to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in over 100 years [since 1914, to be precise] when they eliminated Premier League opponents Burnley in the fifth round. The decisive goal came in the 89th minute when Lincoln scored with their only shot on target of the entire game – a header from centre-back Sean Raggett that had to be confirmed via goal-line technology.
9) Shrewsbury Town 2 Everton 1
FA Cup third round, 2003
Shrewsbury manager Kevin Ratcliffe masterminded the humiliation of his former club as Everton were bundled out of the FA Cup at Gay Meadow. Ratcliffe – Everton’s most successful captain – saw two goals from Nigel Jemson ensure a massive shock. It was no more than the Third Division side lying 80 places below Everton in the English pyramid deserved. Substitute Niclas Alexandersson looked to have saved Everton when he equalised Jemson’s opener, but the former Nottingham Forest striker headed a dramatic winner two minutes from time.
8) Bournemouth 2 Manchester United 0
FA Cup third round, 1984
Ron Atkinson took the FA Cup holders to Dean Court to face Third Division Bournemouth, who were then managed by Harry Redknapp. The hosts knew they had a mountain to climb, but through grit and determination caused a massive upset as United came unstuck. Bournemouth outplayed the top-flight outfit and ran out worthy winners, with Milton Graham and Ian Thompson scoring the goals.
7) Manchester City 0 Wigan Athletic 1
FA Cup final, 2013
Man City were odds-on favourites after Roberto Mancini’s men had finished second in the league, a year after they had won the Premier League for the first time. At the same time, Wigan were just days away from being relegated to the Championship. It was Ben Watson’s memorable header from a Shaun Maloney corner that broke the deadlock in the 91st minute, as it looked certain the game would go to extra time. Wigan became, and remain, the first team in the history of English football to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the same season.
6) Wrexham 2 Arsenal 1
FA Cup third round, 1992
Second in the then First Division against 24th in the Third Division. Reigning league champions Arsenal made the trip to North Wales for what was supposed to be a sure-fire win. The visitors took the lead just before half-time courtesy of Alan Smith and were just 10 minutes from securing their passage to the fourth round until former Manchester United and Wales midfielder Mickey Thomas unleashed a 25-yard free-kick past David Seaman. Wrexham were in the ascendancy and two minutes later Steve Watkin struck the winner.
5) Sutton United 2 Coventry City 1
FA Cup third round, 1989
Non-league Sutton United caused one of the biggest ever upsets with victory over top-flight Coventry at Gander Green Lane, thanks to goals from Tony Rains and Matthew Hanlan. Two years earlier, Coventry had won the trophy. Sutton’s Cup run was not destined to last, however, as they were beaten 8-0 by Norwich City in the next round.
4) Sunderland 1 Leeds 0
FA Cup final, 1973
Sunderland had reached the final after defeating First Division clubs Manchester City and Arsenal. However, holders Leeds were expected to hammer their opponents. Ian Porterfield, though, had other ideas as his volley crashed into the back of the Leeds net. Goalkeeper Jim Montgomery also played a big part in Sunderland’s win, twisting up from being on the ground to acrobatically turn a Peter Lorimer shot on to the crossbar. Sunderland became the first Second Division side to win the Cup in 40 years.
3) Hereford United 2 Newcastle 1
FA Cup third-round replay, 1972
Hereford produced one of the most memorable shocks when they beat First Division Newcastle 2-1 in a third-round replay in 1972. Newcastle looked to have made it to the fourth round thanks to a late goal by Malcolm Macdonald. However, Ronnie Radford popped up to score the most famous 30-yard goal in Cup history – immortalised by being captured by Match of the Day coverage – to take the game into extra time. Substitute Ricky George scored the winner as Hereford became the first non-league club to defeat a First Division side since 1949.
2) Liverpool 0 Wimbledon 1
FA Cup final, 1988
The “crazy gang” had proven wrong all the so-called experts who said their long-ball style of play couldn’t lead them to Wembley. A Liverpool win was predicted but Wimbledon manager Bobby Gould and coach Don Howe had a plan and Liverpool were not allowed to settle. Wimbledon took the lead when Lawrie Sanchez rose high to send a looping header past the stranded Bruce Grobbelaar from Dennis Wise’s free-kick. Grobbelaar’s opposite number Dave Beasant then performed heroics, saving John Aldridge’s penalty on the hour.
1) Macclesfield 2 Crystal Palace 1
FA Cup third round, 2026
This has to be considered the biggest shock in the FA Cup’s long history as it marked the first time a team from the sixth tier of English football had knocked out a top-flight side, who also just so happened to be the holders. Captain Paul Dawson’s brilliant header, with iconic head bandage, got things rolling before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts stabbed home a second after half-time. Macclesfield defended brilliantly to hang on after Yeremy Pino curled in a free-kick for Oliver Glasner’s side.
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Biggest upset in FA Cup history as sixth-tier Macclesfield stun holders Palace
2026-01-10T15:30:46Z