Following two consecutive disappointing results at home, Everton faced Sunderland in the FA Cup third round, looking to give the Blues a rare cup run this season. However, with Michael Keane, Jack Grealish and Tim Iroegbunam added to the list of absentees for the game against the Mackems, this was to be no easy task. David Moyes was forced to name an inexperienced bench, with Thierno Barry the only player included to have any kind of regular minutes this season. Controversially, the club decided to wear black and pink kits, instead of the famous Royal Blue, much to the bemusement of many staunch Everton supporters.
The game quickly settled into a pattern, with Sunderland dominating proceedings. Despite only recently gaining promotion to the Premier League, the away side looked the better team and easily showed more quality on the ball, with Granit Xhaka pulling the strings. A notable exception to a passive and lumbering Everton side was Harrison Armstrong, who was once again looking to prove himself following his recall from Preston North End. The young midfielder was energetic and commanded possession. He came close after 21 minutes to finding the opener, only for his volley to slice up and away, narrowly missing the target.
Moments later, after sustained pressure from Régis Le Bris’s men, a long throw caused confusion in the penalty box as the ball bounced around the area and wasn’t cleared by Merlin Röhl. The ball eventually found Enzo Le Fée, who was free to expertly direct his volley inside the side netting, leaving Jordan Pickford with little chance to deny his boyhood team the lead.
Everton gained more possession as the half progressed, but were unable to worry Sunderland’s stern defence. With both Illiman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish missing, Dwight McNeil and Tyler Dibling weren’t able to reproduce their magic and often lost possession cheaply, stunting any meaningful attacks. The visitors came close to adding a second before the interval, only for Pickford to produce a strong save, denying Romain Mundle from range.
Moyes made a double substitution last weekend after a dismal first-half display, but the Scot didn’t have that luxury this time around and was, to all intents and purposes forced to send out his original eleven once again. James Garner did his best Xhaka impression by attempting to include rhythm into Everton’s play, but to no avail. Sunderland came close again on the hour mark after Mayenda was fed through and dragged his effort wide from the left-hand side, past Pickford and the post.
With fans growing increasingly frustrated, Everton allowed the game to drift away and were desperate for reinforcements. Thierno Barry, introduced alongside Beto, showed some intent and looked lively after replacing Dibling. His header in the 77th minute narrowly missed the post after McNeil found the young Frenchman at the back post. The chance gave the supporters renewed hope of finding an equaliser.
After Adam Aznou finally stepped onto the pitch in his Everton strip, the supporters didn’t have to wait long for their elusive goal. The young Moroccan followed his own low cross into the box and, after the ball bounced inside the area, pounced on the eventual loose ball and slalomed his way through the defenders before being forced to the ground. Referee John Brooks didn’t hesitate in pointing to the spot, just three minutes from the 90-minute mark. Garner coolly stepped up to slot the ball home, forcing the tie into extra time.
Despite an encouraging end to the second half, it was Sunderland who threatened to win it during the additional 30 minutes. Xhaka worked the ball from right to left before Mundle’s effort was palmed away by Pickford just three minutes in. Beto struck the side netting after Barry drove upfield later, but his tired effort was well covered by Robin Roefs in the Sunderland goal. Xhaka came close just before the final whistle, as his speculative low strike was blocked in the six-yard box by the retreating Tarkowski. Everton survived, and penalties loomed.
The first penalty set the tone for the shootout. Garner missed, unable to replicate his earlier success, with a tame effort to his left that was easily saved by Roefs. Barry, opting for a stuttered run-up, rolled the ball towards Roefs, again comfortably saved by the Dutchman. He completed his hat-trick as Beto opted for a short run-up, his low strike to the right once again met by the Sunderland goalkeeper. Sunderland converted all three of their attempts, including Luke O’Nien blasting the ball down the middle to send the men in red and white through to the fourth round.
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