London, 11 January 2026 (PA Media/dpa/MIA) - Non-league Macclesfield pulled off one of the biggest-ever FA Cup upsets as they knocked out holders Crystal Palace in a remarkable 2-1 win at the third-round stage on Saturday.

The Silkmen, reformed in 2020 after Macclesfield Town were wound up, sit 117 places below Palace in the pyramid but the sixth-tier club out-fought and out-thought a flat Eagles side to make new history for a club rising from the ashes of the old.

All-action captain Paul Dawson headed Macclesfield in front two minutes before half-time, and Palace failed to muster a response before Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled the lead on the hour.

Yeremy Pino’s 90th-minute free-kick set up a nervy finish through six minutes of time added on but eight months after lifting the FA Cup to win their first major trophy, Palace surrendered it with a tame performance as Macclesfield fans poured on to the pitch to celebrate a famous victory.

It was the first time the holders had lost to non-league opposition since Palace themselves beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 117 years ago in 1909 while in the Southern League.

This was a day of celebration for Macclesfield, a club still coming to terms with the death of their 21-year-old forward Ethan McLeod, killed in a car accident as he returned from their match at Bedford Town on December 16.

John Rooney’s side paid tribute to McLeod with a performance full of spirit against a Palace side showing six changes but still including England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton.

“It still doesn’t feel real,” said Rooney, the younger brother of former England captain Wayne. "It’s mad to say but I thought we were the deserved winners on the day. I thought we were incredible, every one of them from the subs to the starting eleven.”

Elsewhere, newly-signed Antoine Semenyo made a goalscoring debut as Manchester City hit double figures in a 10-1 thrashing of Exeter.

Rodri also struck his first goal for 20 months and Rico Lewis netted twice as Pep Guardiola’s side demolished the League One outfit at the Etihad Stadium.

Youngster Max Alleyne began the rout with his first senior strike and there were two own goals before before Tijjani Reijnders, Nico O’Reilly and 17-year-old Ryan McAidoo got on the scoresheet. Exeter’s bright moment was a superb late consolation strike from George Birch.

Semenyo’s former club Bournemouth suffered penalty shoot-out heartbreak after a 3-3 thriller at Newcastle United.

Harvey Barnes fired the hosts ahead five minutes into the second half, but goals from Alex Scott and David Brooks looked set to send Bournemouth through in normal time.

However, Anthony Gordon’s stoppage-time penalty forced an extra 30 minutes and Barnes put Newcastle back into the lead before Marcus Tavernier equalised at the death to send the tie into a marathon shoot-out.

Aaron Ramsdale saved the 18th spot-kick from Bafode Diakite as Newcastle progressed to round four 7-6 on penalties.

Emiliano Buendía and Morgan Rogers piled on the gloom at Tottenham Hotspur as Aston Villa won 2-1 in north London, with Wilson Odobert replying for beleaguered Spurs.

Liam Rosenior turned to Chelsea’s second string for his first game in charge as his new team thrashed Charlton 5-1 at the Valley to ease into the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Goals from Jorrel Hato, Tosin Adarabioyo and Marc Guiu – three players of whom little had been seen in the final months of former boss Enzo Maresca’s reign – completed a straightforward enough assignment before Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez from the penalty spot added the gloss late on.

Miles Leaburn’s strike to make it briefly 2-1 had been enough to keep alive the home side’s interest in the tie almost until the end.

Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs saved spot kicks from James Garner, Thierno Barry and Beto as they prevailed 3-0 on penalties at Everton after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes.

Jörgen Strand Larsen scored a hat-trick as Premier League bottom side Wolves brushed aside Shrewsbury 6-1, and there were also wins for top tier clubs Burnley, Fulham and Brentford.

Photo: epa