Everton set unwanted 23-year record after failing to score penalties in Sunderland FA Cup shoot-out defeat

Ed Griffiths

By Ed Griffiths


Published: 10/01/2026

- 16:58

They became only the second top-flight team to lose an FA Cup shoot-out without scoring after Blackburn, also against Sunderland, in 2003

Everton have set an unwanted 23-year record after failing to score a single penalty in their FA Cup shoot-out defeat.

The Merseyside club missed penalties in a 3-0 shoot-out defeat to Sunderland in the third round of the cup.


Unconvincing efforts from James Garner, Thierno Barry and Beto were all saved by Robin Roefs.

Garner had scored from the spot in the 89th minute to cancel out Enzo Le Fee’s brilliant first-half strike, taking the tie to penalties.

It was the first time in Everton’s history they had failed to score a single penalty in a shoot-out.

They became only the second top-flight team to lose an FA Cup shoot-out without scoring after Blackburn, also against Sunderland, in 2003.

Everton manager David Moyes refused to criticise the players who missed penalties in a 3-0 shoot-out defeat to Sunderland in the FA Cup third round.

However, he was disappointed with the manner of their exit from the competition following a 1-1 draw after extra time at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Beto

Beto missed his penalty

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PA

Moyes said: "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."

"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."

James Garner

James Garner missed his penalty

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PA

He added: "We did a great job to get back in the game and get ourselves level with what was available but when we get to that point you’re hoping to go on and show it and it was poor.

"Someone has to win a penalty shoot-out 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."

Roefs claimed the plaudits for saving the first three penalties he faced in the shoot-out.

\u200bJames Garner

James Garner had scored from the spot in the 89th minute to cancel out Enzo Le Fee’s brilliant first-half strike

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PA

His effort put Sunderland into the fourth round for only the second time in 11 years.

Manager Regis Le Bris said: "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 and I think it is only the beginning.

"He will have ups and downs, which is normal, but he is really consistent and helped the team for the penalty shoot-out.

"Robin made three impressive saves but we had to score three goals as well."