David Moyes criticises Everton penalty approach after FA Cup exit to Sunderland

David Moyes delivered a frank assessment of Everton’s FA Cup exit after his side were knocked out by Sunderland on penalties, admitting the shootout defeat was handled “in the wrong way”.

Everton were eliminated in the third round following a 1-1 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the Black Cats holding their nerve from the spot to progress.

Everton arrived in Wearside severely depleted, with nine senior players unavailable due to injury, suspension and the Africa Cup of Nations.

Their problems were evident in a flat first-half display, during which Enzo Le Fée gave Sunderland a deserved lead.

Everton improved after the break and were rewarded late on when James Garner converted an 88th-minute penalty to force extra time. With no further goals, the tie was decided from the spot.

The shootout proved costly for Everton. Garner was denied, before Thierno Barry and Beto both saw tame efforts comfortably saved by Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs.

Speaking after the match, David Moyes accepted that penalty shootouts inevitably produce winners and losers, but made clear his disappointment lay in the manner of Everton’s efforts.

“I don’t think you blame anybody when you lose a penalty shootout,” Moyes said.

“It’s something that can happen, the goalkeeper is there to make saves. 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’ve walked away with huge disappointment.”

Moyes was keen to acknowledge his players’ effort in forcing the game to penalties, particularly given the lack of options available to him on the night.

“We did a great job to get back in the game and get ourselves level with what was available,” he added.
“But when you get to that point, you’re hoping to go on and show it — and it was poor.

“Someone has to win a penalty shootout and someone has to lose it, but I do think there is a way to win it and a way to lose it. I didn’t think the way we lost it today was the right way.”

The defeat brings Everton’s FA Cup campaign to an early end and compounds a frustrating period for Moyes, who is juggling injuries and limited squad depth.

With focus now shifting back to league matters, the Everton manager will hope the response shown late on against Sunderland can be carried forward — but the disappointment of the shootout will linger.

Everton must now regroup quickly as Moyes looks to navigate a demanding run of fixtures with a stretched squad. Lessons from the penalty defeat will be taken on board, but attention will soon turn to restoring momentum away from cup competition.

Were Everton let down more by fatigue — or by mentality — in the penalty shootout against Sunderland?