Enzo Le Fée praises Sunderland support after decisive FA Cup display against Everton

Enzo Le Fée credited Sunderland’s supporters and the team’s collective mentality after playing a decisive role in their FA Cup penalty shootout victory over Everton.

The French midfielder scored in normal time and calmly converted Sunderland’s opening penalty as the Black Cats progressed at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Enzo Le Fée gave Sunderland the lead after 30 minutes, striking a superb first-time volley to cap a strong opening half.

Despite Sunderland being pushed back late on, Everton forced the game into extra time after equalising from the penalty spot in the closing stages. With no further goals, the tie was settled by a shootout.

Le Fée stepped forward again, confidently dispatching Sunderland’s first kick to set the tone for a flawless penalty display.

Speaking after the match, Le Fée felt the performance was the perfect response to Sunderland’s midweek league defeat at Brentford.

“We knew we had to react after the last game,” he said.

“The character of the group was really important tonight. We stayed together, worked for each other, and in the end we got what we deserved.”

The night carried added significance for Le Fée, who had missed a penalty earlier in the week. Rather than shy away, the midfielder embraced the moment.

“That’s football,” he explained.

“Sometimes things don’t go your way, but you can’t hide. If you don’t try, you don’t succeed. Missing a penalty hurts, but failures are lessons and you have to keep believing.”

Le Fée also made a point of thanking Sunderland’s supporters for their backing, both inside the stadium and online.

“I’ve felt a lot of support from the fans and I really appreciate it,” he said.
“The messages mean a lot and they give you confidence. I’m grateful for everyone who has been behind me.”

Despite conceding late, Le Fée believes the manner of the victory — particularly Sunderland’s composure in the shootout — can serve as a platform going forward.

“We showed a really good mentality,” he added.

“To respond, score first, and then stay calm in the shootout says a lot about this team. We’ll take this feeling into the next game and keep building.”

Sunderland will now look to carry the confidence from their FA Cup success into league action, with Le Fée’s leadership and composure continuing to set the tone in key moments.

Can Enzo Le Fée’s response and Sunderland’s resilience spark a strong run across competitions?