Everton players could not believe what the fans were chanting after Sunderland knock out in penalty shootout

Everton Devastated as Sunderland’s Penalty Masterclass Ends FA Cup HopesIn a humiliating exit from the FA Cup third round, Everton were dumped out by Championship outfit Sunderland in a penalty shootout at their own Hill Dickinson Stadium on January 10, 2026. The match finished 1-1 after extra time, but Sunderland triumphed 3-0 in the shootout, with goalkeeper Robin Roefs saving all three Everton penalties. As the final whistle blew, visiting Sunderland fans erupted in chants of “Roefs! Roefs! Roefs!”, leaving the Toffees’ players stunned and dejected on the pitch, their heads in their hands amid the echoing taunts.

For Everton, this defeat is a crushing blow in what has already been a challenging season under returning manager David Moyes. Appointed just over a year ago in January 2025 for his second stint at the club, Moyes had aimed to use the FA Cup as a catalyst to reignite the team’s fortunes. With Everton hovering dangerously close to the Premier League relegation zone – currently 15th after a string of inconsistent results – the cup represented a chance for silverware and morale boost. However, injuries to key forwards like Beto and a defense that has shipped 28 goals in 20 league games exposed their vulnerabilities against a plucky Sunderland side.

The game started brightly for the hosts, but Sunderland struck first through a clever finish from Jack Clarke in the 22nd minute, silencing the home crowd. Everton fought back, with Iliman Ndiaye leveling the score just before the hour mark via a deflected effort. Despite dominating possession at 58% and registering 14 shots to Sunderland’s 8, the Toffees couldn’t find a winner in normal or extra time. Moyes’ substitutions, including bringing on young prospect Jarrad Branthwaite for added aerial threat, failed to break the deadlock.

The shootout was where the nightmare unfolded. Everton’s takers – Neal Maupay, Ashley Young, and Dwight McNeil – all saw their efforts brilliantly denied by the 22-year-old Dutchman Roefs, on loan from Fortuna Sittard. Sunderland’s penalties were clinical, scoring three straight to end the contest abruptly. The scenes post-shootout were raw: Everton captain James Tarkowski stared blankly at the turf, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, usually unflappable, punched the air in frustration. Moyes, in his post-match press conference, was candid: “This is a low point. We had the chances, but credit to their keeper – he was outstanding. For us, it’s about picking ourselves up quickly; the league is our priority now.”

This loss compounds Everton’s off-field struggles. The ongoing financial scrutiny following the 2025 takeover by a consortium led by American investors has limited transfer activity, leaving Moyes with a thin squad. Fans, who filled the 52,000-capacity Hill Dickinson Stadium – Everton’s new home since the move from Goodison Park – expressed outrage online, with #MoyesOut gaining traction despite his recent return. The defeat eliminates any realistic trophy hopes, shifting focus to survival in the Premier League, where a Merseyside derby looms next.Sunderland’s progression is a feel-good story for the Black Cats, with Roefs the hero. But for Everton, the chants of his name will linger as a symbol of missed opportunities and mounting pressure. As Moyes rallies his troops, the question remains: Can Everton turn the tide, or is this upset the start of a steeper decline?