Given a crew from the sixth tier of English soccer had by no means knocked out a top-flight aspect, and the holders had by no means misplaced to non-league opposition, has a robust case to be thought of the most important FA Cup shock of all time. Telegraph Sport appears to be like on the different main upsets to rival it.
10) Burnley 0 Lincoln Metropolis 1
FA Cup fifth spherical, 2017
Lincoln grew to become the primary non-league aspect to succeed in the quarter-finals since 1914 – Getty Pictures/Clive Brunskill
Beneath the stewardship of the Cowley brothers, Lincoln grew to become the primary non-league aspect to succeed in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in over 100 years [since 1914, to be precise] after they eradicated Premier League opponents Burnley within the fifth spherical. The decisive aim got here within the 89th minute when Lincoln scored with their solely shot on the right track of all the sport – a header from centre-back Sean Raggett that needed to be confirmed by way of goal-line expertise.
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9) Shrewsbury City 2 Everton 1
FA Cup third spherical, 2003
Two objectives from Nigel Jemson (proper) ensured an enormous shock in 2003 – Getty Pictures/Clive Brunskill
Shrewsbury supervisor Kevin Ratcliffe masterminded the humiliation of his former membership as Everton have been bundled out of the FA Cup at Homosexual Meadow. Ratcliffe – Everton’s most profitable captain – noticed two objectives from Nigel Jemson guarantee an enormous shock. It was not more than the Third Division aspect mendacity 80 locations under Everton within the English pyramid deserved. Substitute Niclas Alexandersson seemed to have saved Everton when he equalised Jemson’s opener, however the former Nottingham Forest striker headed a dramatic winner two minutes from time.
8) Bournemouth 2 Manchester United 0
FA Cup third spherical, 1984
Bournemouth, managed by Harry Redknapp, beat Manchester United in 1984 – PA
Ron Atkinson took the FA Cup holders to Dean Court docket to face Third Division Bournemouth, who have been then managed by Harry Redknapp. The hosts knew that they had a mountain to climb, however by grit and willpower precipitated an enormous upset as United got here unstuck. Bournemouth outplayed the top-flight outfit and ran out worthy winners, with Milton Graham and Ian Thompson scoring the objectives.
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7) Manchester Metropolis 0 Wigan Athletic 1
FA Cup remaining, 2013
A memorable header from Ben Watson (proper) proved the distinction towards Metropolis in 2013 – Getty Pictures/Matthew Ashton
Man Metropolis have been odds-on favourites after Roberto Mancini’s males had completed second within the league, a 12 months after that they had gained the Premier League for the primary time. On the similar time, Wigan have been simply days away from being relegated to the Championship. It was Ben Watson’s memorable header from a Shaun Maloney nook that broke the impasse within the 91st minute, because it seemed sure the sport would go to further time. Wigan grew to become, and stay, the primary crew within the historical past of English soccer to win the FA Cup and be relegated in the identical season.
6) Wrexham 2 Arsenal 1
FA Cup third spherical, 1992
Wrexham got here from behind to knock out Arsenal in 1992 – Getty Pictures/Stephen Munday
Second within the then First Division towards twenty fourth within the Third Division. Reigning league champions Arsenal made the journey to North Wales for what was presupposed to be a sure-fire win. The guests took the lead simply earlier than half-time courtesy of Alan Smith and have been simply 10 minutes from securing their passage to the fourth spherical till former Manchester United and Wales midfielder Mickey Thomas unleashed a 25-yard free-kick previous David Seaman. Wrexham have been within the ascendancy and two minutes later Steve Watkin struck the winner.
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5) Sutton United 2 Coventry Metropolis 1
FA Cup third spherical, 1989
Sutton’s victory over Coventry in 1989 is among the FA Cup’s best upsets – Getty Pictures/Simon Bruty
Non-league Sutton United precipitated one of many largest ever upsets with victory over top-flight Coventry at Gander Inexperienced Lane, due to objectives from Tony Rains and Matthew Hanlan. Two years earlier, Coventry had gained the trophy. Sutton’s Cup run was not destined to final, nevertheless, as they have been crushed 8-0 by Norwich Metropolis within the subsequent spherical.
4) Sunderland 1 Leeds 0
FA Cup remaining, 1973
Sunderland goalkeeper Jim Montgomery stored out Leeds in 1973 – Getty Pictures/Bob Thomas
Sunderland had reached the ultimate after defeating First Division golf equipment Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal. Nevertheless, holders Leeds have been anticipated to hammer their opponents. Ian Porterfield, although, had different concepts as his volley crashed into the again of the Leeds internet. Goalkeeper Jim Montgomery additionally performed a giant half in Sunderland’s win, twisting up from being on the bottom to acrobatically flip a Peter Lorimer shot on to the crossbar. Sunderland grew to become the primary Second Division aspect to win the Cup in 40 years.
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3) Hereford United 2 Newcastle 1
FA Cup third-round replay, 1972
Hereford, courtesy of Ronnie Radford’s well-known 30-yard aim, upset Newcastle in 1972 – Getty Pictures
Hereford produced one of the memorable shocks after they beat First Division Newcastle 2-1 in a third-round replay in 1972. Newcastle seemed to have made it to the fourth spherical due to a late aim by Malcolm Macdonald. Nevertheless, Ronnie Radford popped as much as rating probably the most well-known 30-yard aim in Cup historical past – immortalised by being captured by Match of the Day protection – to take the sport into further time. Substitute Ricky George scored the winner as Hereford grew to become the primary non-league membership to defeat a First Division aspect since 1949.
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2) Liverpool 0 Wimbledon 1
FA Cup remaining, 1988
Wimbledon’s ‘Loopy Gang’ – Vinnie Jones et al – surprised Liverpool in 1988 – Getty Pictures
The “loopy gang” had confirmed mistaken all of the so-called consultants who stated their long-ball type of play couldn’t make them Wembley. A Liverpool win was predicted however Wimbledon supervisor Bobby Gould and coach Don Howe had a plan and Liverpool weren’t allowed to settle. Wimbledon took the lead when Lawrie Sanchez rose excessive to ship a looping header previous the stranded Bruce Grobbelaar from Dennis Sensible’s free-kick. Grobbelaar’s reverse quantity Dave Beasant then carried out heroics, saving John Aldridge’s penalty on the hour.
1) Macclesfield 2 Crystal Palace 1
FA Cup third spherical, 2026
Bandaged Macclesfield captain Dawson celebrates a shocking win – Getty Pictures/Alex Livesey
This must be thought of the most important shock within the FA Cup’s lengthy historical past because it marked the primary time a crew from the sixth tier of English soccer had knocked out a top-flight aspect, who additionally simply so occurred to be the holders. Captain Paul Dawson’s good header, with iconic head bandage, obtained issues rolling earlier than Isaac Buckley-Ricketts stabbed house a second after half-time. Macclesfield defended brilliantly to hold on after Jeremy Pino curled in a free-kick for Oliver Glasner’s aspect.