Everton manager David Moyes has declined to point the finger at his players following a dramatic and historic FA Cup exit at the hands of Sunderland. The Toffees were eliminated in the third round after a penalty shoot-out disaster at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, 10 January 2026.
A Night of Penalty Woe for the Toffees
The match finished 1-1 after extra time, with James Garner's 89th-minute penalty cancelling out a brilliant first-half strike from Sunderland's Enzo Le Fee. However, the shoot-out that followed was nothing short of catastrophic for the Premier League side. Unconvincing efforts from Garner, Thierno Barry, and Beto were all saved by Black Cats goalkeeper Robin Roefs, securing a 3-0 shoot-out victory for the Championship team.
This result marked a grim piece of history for Everton. It was the first time in the club's long history that they failed to score a single penalty in a shoot-out. Furthermore, they became only the second top-flight team to lose an FA Cup shoot-out without scoring, following Blackburn Rovers' similar fate – also against Sunderland – back in 2003.
Moyes's Disappointment with the Manner of Defeat
Speaking after the match, a visibly disappointed Moyes refused to single out the players who missed from the spot. "I don't think you blame anybody when you lose a penalty shoot-out. It's something that can happen, the goalkeeper is there to make saves," the Scotsman stated.
However, he expressed significant frustration with the nature of the defeat. "But I think there is a way to lose if you're going to do that. It felt as if we didn't do it in that way and that's why we have all walked away with huge disappointment," Moyes explained. He added, "We did a great job to get back in the game... but when we get to that point you're hoping to go on and show it and it was poor. I didn't think the way we lost it today was the right way."
Sunderland's Hero and Historic Progression
For Sunderland, the hero was undoubtedly young goalkeeper Robin Roefs, who saved all three penalties he faced in the shoot-out. His performance propelled the Black Cats into the FA Cup fourth round for only the second time in 11 years.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris was full of praise for his shot-stopper. "He is getting better. He is really young and he wants to learn so I think when you give him opportunities to play at that level he will grow quickly," Le Bris said. "Robin made three impressive saves but we had to score three goals as well."
The defeat leaves Everton to reflect on a missed opportunity and an unwanted place in the history books, while Sunderland can look forward to their name in the fourth-round draw.
