Wayne Rooney is left in tears and fans flood the pitch as Macclesfield FC pull off historic giant-killing to knock FA Cup holders out – before paying tribute to young star who died in a tragic car accident just weeks ago
Macclesfield produced the biggest shock in FA Cup history when they beat non-league side Crystal Palace in a stunning third-round defeat.
Palace had their biggest day in the club’s history in their last appearance in the competition when they beat Man City at Wembley in May to win their first major trophy.
The Eagles were at the wrong end of their FA Cup spell this time around; Sitting 13th in the Premier League, Oliver Glasner’s team faced a team 117 places below them in the English football pyramid.
Macclesfield, who sit 14th in the National League North, recorded a stunning 2-1 win against the team.
Captain Paul Dawson set the stage for the FA Cup when he headed in Luke Duffy’s corner in the closing stages of the first half. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled the advantage in the 60th minute, raising hopes.
Palace, who had England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton in their starting line-up and reached the club-record £35m signing of Brennan Johnson in the first half, were given hope in the closing minutes.
Macclesfield fans invade the pitch after causing the FA Cup’s biggest ever upset
Non-league side stunned reigning champions Crystal Palace in third round
An emotional Wayne Rooney was close to tears on the BBC after his younger brother John, the Macclesfield manager, watched the historic upset.
Jeremy Pino curled in a free kick before six minutes of extra time was signaled in the 90th minute.
Macclesfield, managed by Wayne Rooney’s younger brother John, went on to put an end to their stunning FA Cup defeat.
As Moss Rose stormed the field after the final whistle, an emotional Wayne appeared on the verge of tears, praising his brother’s achievement.
“It’s incredible, it makes me emotional to see my little brother achieve this,” Rooney said.
‘He didn’t last long in management and got to the fourth round of the FA Cup and beat Crystal Palace, I’m very proud of him.
‘he did it [look calm]’I don’t know how it happened, what he did today is such a huge achievement, it’s absolutely amazing.’
Rooney embraced his brother John as the Macclesfield boss joined the BBC for his post-match interview.
‘I’m literally the same (in tears)’ John said. ‘I still can’t believe it, I can’t get my head around it.
‘I thought we were incredible from the first minute, we created a few chances in the first half and then went ahead. I thought we were well-deserved winners.
‘I thought we were incredible for a man, I couldn’t be more proud of the boys.’
The Macclesfield boss also reflected on the results in the weeks since striker Ethan McLeod tragically died in a car crash on December 16.
McLeod was returning home after Macclesfield’s National League North match at Bedford Town.
Rooney revealed he received a message from McLeod’s father on the eve of the match, but stopped short of telling him not to put more pressure on his side.
John Rooney paid tribute to Ethan McLeod, who tragically died in a car accident while returning home after a match in December.
He announced that the team would spend time with McLeod’s parents after the game and that the couple was on hand for the win.
“I didn’t talk about him much in the dressing room, I didn’t want to put extra pressure on the players, but I got a nice message from his dad last night,” Rooney said.
‘I wondered if I should tell them or keep it from them; I didn’t want to put that pressure on them. After everything we’ve been through. I thought about leaving this until after the match.
His family is here today, so we need to go see them. It was a really difficult time and we all got through it together. It will never be easy.
‘We still have photos of us in the dressing room, they will never go away. It’s been really hard but I think he’ll look down on us today and be proud of us.’
