Macclesfield 2-1 Crystal Palace Player Ratings: Sixth Division Team Baffles Oliver Glasner & Co.

The Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace match had history written all over it. Fans witnessed an incredible match at Moss Rose Ground, as Macclesfield managed an inspiring win over a first division team in the Third Round of the FA Cup.

The sixth division team pulled off a sensational 2-1 victory over Premier League giants Crystal Palace. The fixture was a classic David vs Goliath story. Macclesfield played with heart, desire, and incredible organization.

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, looked a shadow of their usual selves. They dominated possession but seemed to have no idea what to do with it. It was a performance lacking inspiration and fight.

Macclesfield took a deserved lead just before halftime. Captain Paul Dawson rose highest to head home in the 43rd minute. They then stunned the visitors again, doubling their lead on the hour mark through Isaac Buckley-Ricketts.

Crystal Palace grabbed a late consolation goal through a Yéremy Pino free-kick in the 90th minute, but it was too little, too late. The home crowd erupted at the final whistle, celebrating a famous giant-killing that will live long in the memory of every football fanatic. Have a look at our Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace Player Ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Macclesfield’s captain, Paul Dawson, was the standout performer, earning the highest rating (9/10) for his leadership and crucial opening goal in a historic 2-1 win.

• Crystal Palace struggled overall, with several key players underperforming (e.g., Adam Wharton rated low) despite Yéremy Pino scoring a consolation goal.

• Macclesfield’s defense and midfield were key to the upset, with players like Rollin Menayese, Luis Lacey, and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts highly rated for their contributions.

Crystal Palace Player Ratings vs Macclesfield

Here are the Crystal Palace Player Ratings from the Crystal Palace vs Macclesfield Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Walter Benítez - 6.0: He conceded two goals, and for the second one, he might feel he could have done better. Benítez made a couple of decent saves and was okay with the ball at his feet. However, he didn't command his box with the authority we expect. From our perspective, he looked a bit unsettled by Macclesfield's physicality at set-pieces.

Defenders

Marc Guéhi - 6.0: The captain looked visibly frustrated throughout the game. He had a lot of the ball, passing it well, but the defense he led was breached twice. Guéhi struggled against the brute force of D'Mani Mellor. His late yellow card was born from pure annoyance at his team's dire performance. A tough day leading a sinking ship.

Chris Richards - 7.0: Easily Palace's best player on the pitch. The American was a one-man defensive wall at times. He made an astounding 14 clearances and a crucial last-man tackle. He won his duels and tried to drive the team forward. Without him, the scoreline could have been much worse. He can hold his head high.

Jaydee Canvot - 5.0: A really difficult first half for the defender. He was hooked at halftime, and you can see why. He was part of a defense that looked all at sea and offered very little support going forward. The occasion seemed to get to him, and he struggled to cope with the intensity.

Midfielders

Adam Wharton - 4.5: A shockingly poor performance that genuinely surprised us. He's usually so composed, but today he was a liability. He lost possession a staggering 23 times and made a direct error leading to a shot. His passing was uncharacteristically sloppy, and he was completely overrun in midfield. One to forget for the talented youngster.

Borna Sosa - 6.5: One of the few who showed flashes of quality for Palace. He put in eight crosses and created a couple of chances. However, his defensive work was questionable, and he also picked up a booking. It was a mixed bag; he provided a threat but was also a weak link at times.

Justin Devenny - 5.5: He ran around a lot but with very little effect. Devenny was involved in 19 duels but lost more than he won, which tells the story of his evening. He just couldn't impose himself on the game or provide the spark Palace desperately needed. His substitution felt inevitable.

Kaden Rodney - 5.0: Another player who lasted just 45 minutes. He was anonymous in the first half. The game completely passed him by, and he failed to make any impact whatsoever. A tough learning experience for him against a determined opposition.

Forwards

Yéremy Pino - 7.0: He gets a decent rating for scoring a very good free-kick and for always trying to make things happen. However, he also missed a big chance and was caught offside three times. At least he showed some fight and quality, which was more than can be said for many of his teammates. He never gave up.

Christantus Uche - 6.0: It was a frustrating night for the attacker. He worked his socks off and got into some good positions but his finishing was wayward. He battled hard, but that final bit of composure was missing. You could see the frustration on his face as another chance went begging.

Joel Drakes-Thomas - 4.5: Substituted at halftime after a ghost-like 45 minutes. He offered nothing. One shot off target and barely any involvement in the game. It was a performance that screamed for a substitution, and the manager rightly obliged. A day he will want to erase from his memory.

Substitutes

Tyrick Mitchell - 6.5: Came on at halftime and was an immediate upgrade. He added pace and directness down the left and even had a shot on target saved. A positive impact.

Will Hughes - 6.0: Brought on to add some control and experience to a chaotic midfield. He did okay, but couldn't find the killer pass to unlock a resolute Macclesfield defence.

Brennan Johnson - 6.0: Replaced the ineffective Drakes-Thomas. He was energetic but, like his teammates, struggled to create clear opportunities against a packed defence.

Ben Casey - 5.5: A late substitute who didn't really have time to influence proceedings. He committed a couple of fouls in his short cameo.

Manager

O. Glasner - 5.0: The manager has to take responsibility for this result. His initial team selection felt experimental and it completely backfired. The team had no cohesion or game plan. His halftime changes improved things slightly, but it wasn't enough to fix the mess. He was tactically outclassed today.

Macclesfield Player Ratings vs Crystal Palace

Here are the Macclesfield Player Ratings from the Crystal Palace vs Macclesfield Player Ratings.

Goalkeeper

Max Dearnley - 7.5: A heroic performance from the keeper. He made three crucial saves, including a fantastic one in the second half to keep his team ahead. He commanded his area well, claiming high balls under immense pressure. His distribution wasn't perfect, but his shot-stopping was absolutely vital for this historic win.

Defenders

Lewis Fensome - 7.0: A classic, no-nonsense defensive display. He didn't do anything flashy, but he did his job perfectly. He was positionally sound and made sure the Palace forwards had no space to operate in. An unsung hero of the backline.

Rollin Menayese - 8.0: An absolute colossus at the heart of the defence. He made 10 clearances and won almost everything in the air. He was aggressive, strong, and read the game brilliantly. What stood out to us was his sheer determination; he was immense for his team.

Sam Heathcote - 7.5: Like his defensive partners, he was outstanding. He put his body on the line time and again, making 8 clearances. The yellow card he picked up was a professional foul, showing he was willing to do whatever it took to win. A warrior's performance.

Luis Lacey - 8.0: What a display from the defender. Not only was he solid at the back, making four tackles, but he was also a threat going forward. He completed three dribbles and created a chance. His energy down the flank was incredible and a key part of Macclesfield's success.

Midfielders

Paul Dawson - 9.0: Our Man of the Match. The captain was simply sensational. He scored the crucial opening goal with a powerful header. But his goal was just the cherry on top of an all-action midfield performance. He won 13 duels, made tackles, drew fouls, and led his team with unbelievable passion. A true leader's performance in a historic victory.

Isaac Buckley-Ricketts - 8.0: Scored the winning goal with a cool, calm finish that defied the pressure of the moment. Beyond his goal, his work rate was phenomenal. He tracked back, made tackles, and never stopped running for the team. An unforgettable contribution.

Luke Duffy - 7.5: Provided the assist for the opening goal with a great delivery. He was the creative engine for Macclesfield while he was on the pitch, creating two chances. An intelligent and skillful display that caused Palace problems all evening. His substitution was likely due to sheer exhaustion.

Josh Kay - 7.0: A tireless runner in the midfield. He was a constant pest, closing down Palace players and winning the ball back. His energy set the tone for Macclesfield's aggressive press. A tenacious and highly effective performance.

James Edmondson - 7.5: He did all the dirty work that allows others to shine. He was everywhere, making 3 interceptions and 2 crucial tackles. His job was to break up play and protect the defense, and he did it to perfection. A brilliant, disciplined performance.

Forwards

D'Mani Mellor - 8.0: He didn't score, but he was absolutely unplayable. His hold-up play was out of this world. He won 13 duels and physically bullied the Premier League defenders. He held the ball up, brought teammates into play, and was the perfect outlet for his team. A magnificent target man performance.

Substitutes

Luke Matheson - N/A: Brought on late to help see out the famous victory.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson - N/A: Came on in the final stages to shore up the defence.

Carlos Dos Santos - N/A: A late introduction with the game already won.

Manager

J. Rooney - 9.0: A tactical masterclass from the Macclesfield manager. He set his team up perfectly to frustrate and counter a top-flight team. His players knew their roles and executed the game plan with incredible discipline and heart. He masterminded one of the great FA Cup upsets and deserves all the credit in the world.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match goes to Paul Dawson of Macclesfield.

Worst Performer

Adam Wharton was the worst performer in the Macclesfield vs Crystal Palace match.