Robin Roofs was Sunderland’s hero as the Black Cats progressed to round four but a disastrous trio of penalties in the shootout saw Everton’s FA Cup hopes prematurely ended yet again.
David Moyes’ poor side looked like they were sent off in normal time until James Garner’s 89th-minute spot-kick canceled out Enzo Le Fe’s excellent first-half strike.
But extra time was a last resort for the hosts, down to just 12 seniors, and once the shootout began, the efforts of Garner, Tierno Barry and Beto were saved by Rufus.
Le Fee, Granit Xhaka and Luke O’Nien confidently converted their first three attempts to help Sunderland reach the fourth round for the second time in 11 seasons.
This was a real blow for Everton. They brought in Adam Asnou, who was signed from Valladolid for £7.8 million in the summer, and he never got a whiff of first-team action.
The 19-year-old’s only appearances in senior football came in two appearances in the EFL Trophy in September and October, and he was brought on in the 86th minute to replace Marlin Rohr, simply because manager Moyes had few options.
Beto reacts after failing to take a spot kick in penalty shootout
But the Spanish-born Moroccan drove more than many of his battle-weary teammates from the previous 1986 tournament, especially fellow 19-year-old summer arrival Tyler Dibling, who cost him five times as much, in the four-minute regulation time.
Garner equalized after winning an apparently soft penalty within three minutes after a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge from Try Hume.
A replay of the foul was played on the big screen at full-time and Xhaka became furious, throwing his water bottle onto the grass and yelling at everyone within earshot that it was unfair, but the Black Cats captain was quick to celebrate.
Sunderland, who were promoted from the Championship last season, are rarely favorites to win any game, but the fact that Regis Le Bris made five changes and retained the likes of Dan Ballard, Brian Brobbey, Omar Alderete and Wilson Isidore as substitutes swung the odds in their favor.
Injuries, the African Cup of Nations, suspensions for Michael Keane and Jack Grealish were compounded by Tim Irogbunam’s hamstring problem, making him absent nine times.
The senior player he left out, Barry, appeared as a substitute in 23 of 27 games for the first team, while five of the six academy players had never played before.
After Harrison Armstrong missed the only first chance of the first half wide, Sunderland took control and should have comfortably led by the interval.
Enzo Le Fet delighted after giving Sunderland the lead against Everton
Their first shot gave them the lead, and what a great goal it was.
Everton were unable to respond to long throws and Eliezer Mayenda teed up Le Fee and curled a cushioned right-footed volley past Jordan Pickford.
Even as Pickford shook off Nordi Mukiele’s overhead kick and parried Romain Mandre’s long-range strike with all his might, Moyes looked thunderous and his demeanor did not improve.
Surprisingly, the Everton manager did not make the only substitution, sacrificing one of his five midfielders for Barry at the start of the second half. But they didn’t come back to life until Mayenda sent a diagonal shot wide with less than 30 minutes remaining.
Beto’s appeal for a penalty for Hume pulling his shirt was rejected, but referee John Brooks complied when Aznoux went down and Garner equalized.
Unfortunately for Everton, their ensuing penalties did not inspire much confidence, with Barry and Beto’s sluggish run-ups far from convincing, with Roofs saving all three.
Moyes: “We lost in the wrong way”
Everton manager David Moyes:
“I don’t think anyone would blame us if we lost on penalties. It can happen and the goalkeeper is there to make saves.”
“But I think if you’re going to do that, there’s a way to lose. It felt as if we weren’t doing it that way, and that’s why we all walked away with a big disappointment.”
“We did a great job of getting back into the game and getting to the level we could. But when you get to that point, you want to continue and show that and it was poor.
“In penalty shootouts, someone has to win and someone has to lose, but I think there are ways to win and ways to lose.
“I didn’t think it was the right way to lose today.”
Le Bliss praises Sunderland hero Rufus
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris said of goalkeeper Robin Roofs:
“He’s getting better. He’s really young and wants to learn, so I think if you give him the opportunity to play at that level he’ll develop quickly, but I think it’s just the beginning.”
“He’s had his ups and downs, which is normal, but he’s been really consistent and helped the team in penalty shootouts.
“Robin made three great saves, but we also had to score three goals.”
