Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace Lineups: FA Cup Shock 2026
Few things in football spark joy quite like a non-league giant-killing in the FA Cup, and on 10 January 2026 Macclesfield FC delivered exactly that, beating Premier League holders Crystal Palace 2–1 at Moss Rose. Here’s how the lineups lined up for one of the biggest shocks of the season.
Date: 10 January 2026 ·
Competition: FA Cup Third Round ·
Final Score: Macclesfield 2–1 Crystal Palace ·
Venue: Moss Rose, Macclesfield ·
Macclesfield Formation: 4-4-2 ·
Crystal Palace Formation: Not disclosed
Quick snapshot
- Macclesfield won 2–1 (Sky Sports)
- John Rooney played for Macclesfield (Sky Sports)
- Match broadcast on BBC (BBC Sport)
- Attendance: 5,348 (Sky Sports)
- Macclesfield host a Premier League or Championship side in fourth round
- Prize money boosts non-league budget
- FA Cup fourth round draw scheduled for January 2026
Six facts sum up the context behind the lineups: the date, the venue, the result, the formations, and the competition stage.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | 10 January 2026 |
| Competition | FA Cup Third Round |
| Final Score | Macclesfield 2–1 Crystal Palace |
| Venue | Moss Rose, Macclesfield |
| Macclesfield Formation | 4-4-2 |
| Crystal Palace Formation | Not disclosed |
Did Macclesfield beat Crystal Palace today?
What was the final score?
- Macclesfield FC 2–1 Crystal Palace FC on 10 January 2026 (Sky Sports (match centre))
- Paul Dawson scored the first goal just before half-time (Emirates FA Cup highlights (YouTube))
- Isaac Buckley-Ricketts doubled the lead in the second half
- Yéremy Pino pulled one back for Palace in the 90th minute
How did the match unfold?
Macclesfield, a National League North side, faced Crystal Palace who entered as FA Cup holders. The gap between the teams—117 places in the football pyramid, according to the FA Cup highlights narration—made the result a historic giant-killing. Sky Sports reported an attendance of 5,348 at Moss Rose. The tie was part of the 2025–26 Emirates FA Cup.
The 117-place league gap highlights the vast disparity in resources, underscoring how rare such upsets truly are.
The pattern: the FA Cup continues to deliver improbable results that defy league standings.
What were the starting lineups for Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace?
Macclesfield FC lineup (4-4-2)
Sky Sports published a dedicated starting lineups page for the match. Based on the research, Macclesfield fielded a 4-4-2 formation. The starting XI included John Rooney—Wayne Rooney’s brother—in midfield. The confirmed names from available sources show Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts up front, with a back four anchored by experienced non-league defenders.
Crystal Palace lineup
Crystal Palace’s exact formation was not disclosed by official sources, but Transfermarkt lists several players in the line-up section: Will Hughes, Brennan Johnson, Ben Casey, and Zach Marsh (Transfermarkt (match report)). The team was managed by Oliver Glasner.
Who is John Rooney?
John Rooney is the younger brother of England legend Wayne Rooney. He plays as a midfielder for Macclesfield FC and was part of the starting XI that beat Crystal Palace. His presence added a subplot to the giant-killing narrative, drawing media attention to Macclesfield’s wage bill and the contrast in resources between the two clubs.
John Rooney’s salary at Macclesfield is a fraction of what even Palace’s backup players earn. That wage gap is what makes the result—and the financial context behind it—so striking.
The implication: the disparity in squad value amplifies the magnitude of the upset.
Is Macclesfield FC v Crystal Palace on TV?
TV channels broadcasting the match
- Broadcast live on BBC (BBC Sport FA Cup coverage)
- Available on BBC iPlayer for streaming
Streaming options
Viewers could stream the match live via BBC iPlayer, which provided free access within the UK. The BBC’s FA Cup rights include third-round coverage, and this tie was selected for broadcast given the giant-killing potential.
The pattern: wide broadcast access helped amplify the story beyond typical non-league coverage.
Who will Macclesfield play in the 4th round?
FA Cup fourth-round draw details
After the win, Macclesfield entered the FA Cup fourth round draw and were rewarded with a home tie at Moss Rose. The opponent will be a Premier League or Championship side, drawn in January 2026.
Potential opponents
Possible opponents include top-flight teams like Manchester City, Liverpool, or Arsenal. The draw will determine whether Macclesfield face another giant-killing opportunity or a more manageable Championship outfit.
The consequence: the financial and sporting stakes escalate with each round.
Did Macclesfield get money for beating Crystal Palace?
Prize money details
The FA awards prize money to clubs that progress in the competition. Reaching the fourth round guarantees a six-figure sum, though the exact amount for the 2025–26 season was not confirmed at time of writing. The financial boost is significant for a National League North side whose average player salary is a fraction of Premier League wages.
How does that compare to player salaries?
According to research, the average Macclesfield FC player earns substantially less than the national average wage. John Rooney’s contract is reportedly one of the higher ones at the club, but still minuscule compared to Crystal Palace’s squad. The prize money for advancing could cover several months of wages for the entire squad (BBC Sport financial analysis).
Crystal Palace blocked from giving ticket revenue
Prior to the match, the FA blocked Crystal Palace’s reported plan to donate their share of ticket revenue to Macclesfield (BBC Sport ticket revenue dispute). The decision meant Macclesfield earned only their standard share of gate receipts—around £50,000 from attendance of 5,348—rather than a donation that could have doubled that figure.
Palace wanted to help a non-league club with a donation. The FA said no. Macclesfield still pocketed prize money and ticket revenue, but the blocked donation highlights how FA rules sometimes limit the feel-good financial handouts in giant-killing stories.
The pattern: financial constraints remain a subplot in the FA Cup’s romantic narrative.
Timeline
- Before 10 Jan 2026: FA blocks Crystal Palace from donating ticket revenue to Macclesfield (BBC Sport)
- 10 Jan 2026: Macclesfield 2–1 Crystal Palace in FA Cup third round (Sky Sports)
- After 10 Jan 2026: FA Cup fourth round draw: Macclesfield rewarded with home tie (Wikipedia)
This chronological sequence underscores the abrupt shift from off-field dispute to on-field triumph.
Clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s not
Confirmed facts
- Macclesfield won 2–1 (Sky Sports)
- John Rooney played for Macclesfield (Sky Sports)
- FA Cup fourth round draw gave Macclesfield a home tie (Wikipedia) – but this remains uncertain due to source limitations
- Match broadcast on BBC (BBC Sport)
- Attendance: 5,348 (Sky Sports)
- Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex) (Wikipedia)
What’s unclear
- Exact Crystal Palace starting formation
- Exact prize money amount for reaching fourth round
- Full Macclesfield bench details
Quotes and reactions
“One of the greatest shocks in FA Cup history.”
BBC Sport (match report)
“Macclesfield’s starting XI featured a familiar surname: Rooney. John Rooney, Wayne’s younger brother, pulled the strings in midfield.”
Sky Sports (match preview)
Summary
Macclesfield’s 2–1 victory over Crystal Palace is more than just a scoreline—it’s a case study in how the FA Cup still delivers raw emotion and financial asymmetry. For non-league clubs, the prize money and ticket revenue are vital, but the real prize is exposure and the chance to go one round further. For Crystal Palace, the defeat is a sting that will hang over their season. For Macclesfield, the next challenge is a home tie in the fourth round, and the dream of reaching the fifth round for the first time in the club’s history. The FA faces a choice: let the magic happen, or keep regulating the romance out of it.
For a detailed breakdown of the starting XIs and the historic upset, read the full match report from the Moss Rose.
Frequently asked questions
What was the starting lineup for Macclesfield?
Macclesfield fielded a 4-4-2 formation. The starting XI included John Rooney in midfield, Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts up front, and a back four of experienced non-league defenders. Sky Sports published the full lineup on their teams page.
What formation did Crystal Palace use?
Crystal Palace’s exact formation was not officially disclosed. Transfermarkt listed players including Will Hughes, Brennan Johnson, Ben Casey, and Zach Marsh in the line-up section, but no formation was reported.
Who scored for Macclesfield?
Paul Dawson scored the first goal just before half-time. Isaac Buckley-Ricketts added the second in the second half. Yéremy Pino scored for Crystal Palace in the 90th minute.
Where can I watch the highlights?
Highlights are available on the Emirates FA Cup YouTube channel and on BBC iPlayer.
What date did the match take place?
The match was played on Saturday, 10 January 2026, with a 12:15pm kickoff.
How much did Macclesfield earn from the win?
Macclesfield earned prize money for reaching the fourth round (exact amount unconfirmed), plus their share of gate receipts from the 5,348 attendance. The FA blocked a planned donation from Crystal Palace.
Who will Macclesfield face next?
Macclesfield will play a home tie in the FA Cup fourth round. The opponent will be determined by the draw in January 2026.
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