Football: Five memorable FA Cup upsets
Macclesfield, a non-league outfit, delivered one of the most stunning victories in FA Cup lore by defeating the title holders Crystal Palace 2-1 during the third round this Saturday.
AFP Sport examines five more remarkable surprises from the legendary competitions past:
Hereford 2 Newcastle 1, 1972
The Hereford team from the Southern League managed a 2-2 stalemate at St James Park and then produced an incredible win in the third round replay, a moment that stands as one of the FA Cups timeless triumphs.
Ronnie Radford levelled the score for Hereford with a powerful shot from distance, forcing extra time, before Ricky George netted the decisive goal amid joyous fans invading the sodden field to hail the underdogs success.
Sutton 2 Coventry 1, 1989
Coventry showed up in rural Surrey merely 18 months on from their 1987 FA Cup success and were performing strongly in the elite division.
Yet the Sky Blues fell to a shock defeat against non-league Sutton in the third round.
Tony Rains and Matthew Hanlan emerged as the scoring stars for the side led by schoolteacher manager Barrie Williams.
Wrexham 2 Arsenal 1, 1992
Arsenal held the English championship crown, whereas Wrexham languished at the foot of the fourth division.
The Welsh minnows overcame that vast divide with an extraordinary success against George Grahams squad.
Arsenal went ahead at the Racecourse Ground via Alan Smith in the third round encounter, but with just 10 minutes remaining, veteran Mickey Thomas, aged 37, curled in a free kick from 20 yards to tie it up.
Steve Watkin poked home the last gasp winner to claim Wrexhams most celebrated achievement.
Stevenage 3 Newcastle 1, 2011
Newcastle joined a rare group as the fourth Premier League club to fall to fourth tier foes since the leagues inception, this during Stevenages debut campaign in the Football League.
Stacy Long and Michael Bostwick found the net for Stevenage, throwing Alan Pardews team into chaos in the third round match.
Cheick Tiotes sending off did little to aid Newcastle, and although Joey Barton clawed one back, Peter Winn confirmed Stevenages highlight with a goal in added time.
Plymouth 1 Liverpool 0, 2025
Plymouth, who occupied the basement spot in the Championship then, capitalised on Arne Slots choice to rest key players by securing a 1-0 upset against the eventual Premier League winners just months ahead.
Ryan Hardies penalty in the second half stunned Liverpool, propelling Plymouth, set for relegation by seasons close, into the fifth round.
This marked merely the fourth instance of the days Premier League leaders being ousted by a non top flight club.