
Everton will begin their FA Cup journey with a third-round clash against Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Toffees, who last won this prestigious tournament in 1995, will be eyeing a deeper run in the competition this time around after the dismal campaigns of late. Since finishing runners-up in 2009, Everton have made two semi-finals and four quarter-finals appearances but they haven’t been able to get past the fourth round in any of their last three seasons.
An early elimination from the EFL Cup after a disappointing loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers makes the FA Cup even more important for the Blues.
Everton and Sunderland have already met in the league once this season, sharing spoils after a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light. This is the first FA Cup meeting between the two sides since the 2011-12 quarter-final which the Toffees won 2-0. Everton have also knocked out the Black Cats eight times from this competition.
David Moyes’ side drew 1-1 with Wolves over the weekend. Michael Keane gave the hosts the first-half lead with a clinical finish but was on the receiving end of a bizarre VAR decision and was sent off at the 83rd minute for “violent conduct”.
Jack Grealish lost his cool in the aftermath of the incident and followed his teammate to the dressing room shortly after, leaving the Blues to defend with nine men for the final minutes of the contest.
That stalemate has extended Everton’s winless streak in front of their supporters to three games and the Blues will be desperate to secure their first win at Hill Dickinson Stadium since the 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in early December.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are also winless in their last five games after suffering a 3-0 loss to Brentford and they’ve won just once in their last 12 games. As a result, they find themselves 10th in the league table, just one point ahead of Everton at 12th.
They suffered consecutive third-round exits against Newcastle United and Stoke City over the last two seasons, respectively and have been eliminated in each of their last seven FA Cup ties against teams from the same division as them.
Everton vs Sunderland, FA Cup - Team News and Predicted Lineups
Everton Team News
Everton will miss Michael Keane and Jack Grealish for this FA Cup clash. Keane got a straight red after VAR deemed his tug of Tolu Arokobare’s hair “violent conduct” while Grealish lost his cool and was awarded two successive yellow cards for dissent and sarcastically applauding the referee.
Grealish will serve his one-game suspension this weekend while Keane will begin a three-game ban. Meanwhile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Jarrad Branthwaite, Seamus Coleman and Charly Alcaraz are out injured.
The Blues will also miss the Senegal duo of Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye, with the quarter-finals of the AFCON being played over the weekend.
Mark Travers is the designated cup keeper for Everton this season and is likely to replace the ever reliant Jordan Pickford in goal for this fixture. Meanwhile, the absences of Keane and Grealish could lead to Nathan Patterson and Tyler Dibling securing starts once again.
Everton’s predicted starting XI: Mark Travers (GK), Nathan Patterson, James Tarkowski, Jake O’Brien, Vitalii Mykolenko, James Garner, Tim Iroegbunam, Harrison Armstrong, Tyler Dibling, Beto, Dwight McNeil
Form Guide -
Everton: L-L-D-W-L
Sunderland: W-D-D-D-D
Head-to-Head -
Matches: 185
Everton wins: 83
Sunderland wins: 71
Draws: 31
When is Everton vs Sunderland, FA Cup match?
Everton will face Sunderland in the third round of the FA Cup on the afternoon of Saturday, January 10. Kickoff at Hill Dickinson Stadium is scheduled at 12:15 pm UK time.
Where to watch Everton vs Sunderland in the FA Cup?
The FA Cup clash between Everton vs Sunderland will be broadcast live on TNT Sports. The match will also be available for live streaming on Discovery+ platform.
Reader Comments (73)
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2 Posted 09/01/2026 at 08:32:03
I dont like that!
Play your best eleven Moyes!
3 Posted 09/01/2026 at 08:39:09
Why shouldnt they go for the cup?
Bit like us - Ill be very annoyed if Moyes doesnt field his strongest team.
4 Posted 09/01/2026 at 09:01:01
5 Posted 09/01/2026 at 09:09:00
As regards to playing an understrength side, pure fantasy on someone's part. We are forced to play an understrength side due to may reasons, not by choice. Hopefully those given the role of playing can and will have something to prove. Namely Patterson, Dibling and McNeil, who has been very disappointing.
6 Posted 09/01/2026 at 09:09:30
Where has all of that gone?
The notion now of. weakened/alternative teams and a designated cup keeper is dreadful. It's a competition every club should be desperate to win, not least for its supporters and a pathway into Europe.
So, tomorrow, don't fanny around. Pickford to start. Strongest 11 to win the game. Unless there is some inredible and unforseeable outcome to Keane' appeal, the back four should pick itself. McNeil will replace Grealish and Dibling given another chance with Armstrong to continue. There arent really any alternatives other than Beto for Barry and Rohl given a role somewhere. Moyes wont play any other kids. Go out and win it for us.
7 Posted 09/01/2026 at 09:30:32
8 Posted 09/01/2026 at 09:42:01
Isnt Keane available to play until his Appeal is heard? Unless its heard today of course.
9 Posted 09/01/2026 at 09:46:24
Rohl / McNeil may be the only selection "headache" he has given the availability we have.
Patterson may not be best right back in the league but he's the ONLY right back we have and should be played there. Personally, whatever happens on Saturday, and unless we get a new right back in this window, Patterson should be given a fair run in the side to see what he can do. He must be absolute dogshit in training if Jake O'Brien is keeping him out.
My team
Pickford
Patterson Obrien Tarkowski Mykolenko
Garner Armstrong Iroegbunam Mcneil
Grealish
Barry
Garner and McNeil instructed to double up with their full backs when were on the back foot.
10 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:03:23
If you agree with Mark that ideally Pickford should start then why did you put Travers in the team. I suspect you are being mischievous to get this thread talking about Moyes rather than the team and the match.
I believe the team picks itself but would put Beto before Barry as I believe he provides a more physical impact. Barry is too timid.
That leaves us with the following realistic sub options, Barry Rohl and Alcaraz. Aznou and the untried youngster provide the other options.
I am not sure why McNeil is the latest scapegoat on TW for our poor performance. From what I saw against Forest, he constantly doubled up with Myko on their wingers meaning that their cross were poor which made our two central defenders look like world beaters. On the other side Dibling didnt cop on that he had to do the same thing for Patterson until well into the game and probably from getting a roasting from Moyes to work harder. Was it not McNeill who provide the pass for Garners goal, Was it McNeill who won the ball in our own box which eventually led to Garner to providing the inch perfect pass to set up Barry.
There are many other candidates to pick as scapegoat.
11 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:04:12
Grealish is suspended for his childish hissy fit
12 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:15:56
Of course! And I forgot Dibling, durrrrr...
So
Pickford
Patterson Obrien Tarkowski Mykolenko
Garner Armstrong Iroegbunam
Dibling Barry McNeil
sorry - old age and brain farts
13 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:24:29
When/If everyone is back and fit:
Pickford
Patterson Obrien Branthwaite Mykolenko
Garner Gana KDH
Ndiaye Barry Grealish
Subs
Travers
Tyler
King
Beto
Dibling
Alcaraz
Tarkowski
Keane
Seamus
Aznou
Ibroegbunam
Rohl
McNeil
were gonna win the League!
Waiting
14 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:25:18
I now agree with your team but would start Beto instead of Barry ans he is faste and offers more of a physical threat. We can use Barry later in the game. Last time I got over to attend a game Beto scored twice so Im hoping for the same again
15 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:32:18
His defensive duties may not be the best, but he is great going forward and links up well with Dibling, another who gets bad publicity on here, the lad has had few chances to have a run in the side.
Most players have a bad game every now and again, it's just that some get pilloried more than most !
16 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:34:29
17 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:42:59
The FA Cup is special, but have we a realistic chance of winning the thing, I very much doubt we have.
What happens if we get a couple more bad injuries in the games, we will be struggling to find players good enough to come in, in the league games.
I know this is most probably a minority view, so fire away.
Bye the way, if you look at the league table today there is only 1 team Fulham from the 7th down to 20th places that have won more than 1 game from the last 6 games. I think that shows how closely matched most of the league is.
18 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:46:02
I really think Barry will get better as he grows into the game and once Ndiaye gets back.
I predict Barry will get at least 10 league goals by the end of the season.
19 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:51:15
He's not being used correctly and I reckon his confidence is shot or Davey Boy has been trying to beat the creative streak out of him, which tbf he's got form for.
20 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:58:20
Patterson has nothing about his game, nothing. He can't defend, run fast or cross with quality. He isn't good enough.
He will play tomorrow but is a liability, even for the u23s he looks poor.
Pickford
Patterson O'Brien Tarkowski mykolenko
Rohl garner Armstrong McNeil
Tim
Beto
I wouldn't put money on us to win this one.
21 Posted 09/01/2026 at 10:59:16
But still stick by stance that we sort RB and striker issue by loans with option to but now and v optimistic for 2026 especially when 2026/7 kicks off.
Until then, let's forgive each other for quick reactive, unsubstantiated and ultimately, non aggressive crap.
Who needs the nerds!
22 Posted 09/01/2026 at 11:11:23
BUT, when asked if Patterson will now get a chance he got a bit prickly and said he wont reveal who he will pick. I thing Patterson is definitely persona non grata at Everton (not just Moyes, is it?)
He was talking of the VAR involvement the other night and said he was "disappointed with who ever was on VAR that found the need to point that out to the young referee" and made a couple more comments about "whoever was on VAR"... Someone pointed out to him that it was Chris Kavanagh, and his face set and he growled "Ah know who it wae" very menacingly
23 Posted 09/01/2026 at 11:20:23
best football memories over the years, and, thank you Jeff Astle, Clive
Thomas and Ian Rush, some of the worst. Treat it like a cup tie now
means playing the reserves. I remember Everton got fined for playing
a weakened team in the league before the 1966 Final. I dont think
Moyes will risk the wrath of supporters by not picking the best team,
and dont get me started on the idea of playing the reserve keeper.
24 Posted 09/01/2026 at 11:20:31
"Until then"... you mean tomorrow?
25 Posted 09/01/2026 at 11:28:14
Moyes will sacrifice the FA Cup tomorrow imo.
On another note,i read an article,Moyes is the second highest paid manager in the prem.
Only Guardiola gets more than him
26 Posted 09/01/2026 at 11:56:40
It's a tough one.
27 Posted 09/01/2026 at 12:02:44
It was quite telling that, when asked about Pickford playing, he was all smiles and hopeful... but, when asked if Patterson would play, his face visibly darkened and his tone was annoyance.
28 Posted 09/01/2026 at 12:06:02
We don't actually have "a weaker team" though do we? We have what we have and, apart from who plays right-back, even Moyes can't pick a weakened eleven.
Now tactics? That's another matter...
29 Posted 09/01/2026 at 12:07:46
For Moyes... not so much.
30 Posted 09/01/2026 at 12:12:20
Moyes earns a good salary, as have all Everton managers lately. Big Sam Allardyce was on more than Zidane when at Madrid!!!
But Davie is certainly not the second best-paid manager in Premier League. Arteta, Emery, Frank, Slot and Eddie Howe on more, as was Ruben Amorin.
Patterson, as we know, is not our answer to a right-back but the best we have available; he definitely should play. He does help Dibling who needs managing properly, he's a 19-year-old kid who sadly is struggling at the moment with the move up north as well as learning his all round game.
Pick the strongest side possible and go for a trophy. Or it's the season over in January... No thanks, Davie.
31 Posted 09/01/2026 at 12:21:55
The list I read was from PremierLeague Now.co.uk
It has Moyes annual salary at £12.5 million.
Your right though,Arteta is second on £13 million.
Grealish apart, that equates to Moyes being the highest earner at the club.
£250,000 per week
.
32 Posted 09/01/2026 at 12:40:32
There's some confusion around this as it's also been reported elsewhere that it's £12.5M for the full 30-month period which sounds much more believable.
33 Posted 09/01/2026 at 12:53:13
It does make more sense. Surely he can't be on £1M per month?
34 Posted 09/01/2026 at 12:56:21
Having said that, even taking unfortunate injuries and suspensions, Afcon etc, he has not proved to be the manager he was some months ago. I hope TFG are looking for a long-term replacement.
The sooner the better!
35 Posted 09/01/2026 at 13:01:52
This will be another embarrassment like the Carabao Cup game we lost to Wolves when he made too many changes. I hope nobody has paid good money to watch this debacle.
36 Posted 09/01/2026 at 13:02:04
Hopefully not but it sometimes goes with the territory when people feel they haven't been getting treated properly by their manager...
37 Posted 09/01/2026 at 13:10:53
Pickford will play unless injured (Moyes said if available).
Patterson will probably start, though interest in taking him on loan from Seville (offering him game time) may scupper that. Provided we have another right-back lined up.
There is media speculation about a Genk right-back currently at Afcon with Morocco. It would be a brave decision to leave Patterson out.
I think his choices are Barry or Beto, Rohl or Dibling. And a bench full of youngsters and goalkeepers.
38 Posted 09/01/2026 at 13:19:57
As soon as players are absent for whatever reason, the players who come in are all substandard apart from Iroegbunam who is inconsistent but improving. Patterson can't defend, Rohl has been dreadful, McNeil has gone backwards since his injury, Dibling has lost confidence and Aznou is clearly not ready for the Premier League.
39 Posted 09/01/2026 at 13:32:39
Come ON Mali, send them home!!
1600 ko live on 4+
40 Posted 09/01/2026 at 13:37:21
41 Posted 09/01/2026 at 13:40:20
42 Posted 09/01/2026 at 13:41:41
43 Posted 09/01/2026 at 13:56:48
I don't think that would be a worse alternative to Patterson.
John 35
Amazing that you can predict the future as to our team tomorrow.
As somebody who has paid a lot of money to go to the game I look forward with optimism to the game tomorrow and visiting the new stadium. Don't need to hear predicting negativity on baseless assumption on who will play.
44 Posted 09/01/2026 at 14:04:34
Garner instead of Patterson leaving Rohl in Midfield
Rohl instead of Patterson leaving Garner in midfield.
Other midfielders Dibling, Tim, Armstrong, McNeill
The only other question is striker and I would prefer Beto.
Here comes the crazy thought, without Jack holding up and slowing down play, this midfield would move the ball faster to the striker and maybe give us more goal scoring chances. Beto to score 2
45 Posted 09/01/2026 at 14:26:04
46 Posted 09/01/2026 at 14:32:04
Despite my feelings at the end of the Brentford game, I wish I was there tomorrow.
Up them fucking Toffees!
47 Posted 09/01/2026 at 14:54:41
Will Moyes do a league cup line up ?
The issue is and always will be with Moyes his fossilised tactics and non use of subs until its game over.
He's deffo here to the end of his contract.
Why ?
Because he has brought a bunch of relegation regulars to at least mid table. Giving the owners financial ease on the huge debt and further manoeuvrability with ffp, that the previous crooks daddled the club with.
So horror show all the way, interspersed with the occasional successful win blip, until he is 2nd time gone
48 Posted 09/01/2026 at 15:00:13
Come on TWers - be positive! Nothing to be gained from predicting doom!
Fingers toes and everything possible crossed and lets hope Jesus Christ really IS an Evertonian!
49 Posted 09/01/2026 at 15:04:21
50 Posted 09/01/2026 at 15:13:22
The only useful bits are about injuries and who's fit to play
51 Posted 09/01/2026 at 15:19:25
You dont want to give your team away but you could give the fans a more useful update.
52 Posted 09/01/2026 at 15:19:44
His arse is tailor made for a TFG Boot !
53 Posted 09/01/2026 at 16:04:49
He is here till at least the end of the season and is working with breadcrumbs of a squad.
I would like to see some of the younger players given a chance, but we have to be careful not to make wholesale changes such that the team is full of strangers that don't know each other's game.
I would have liked to see Justin Clarke and Braiden Graham given some game time and young Dibling needs a chance to show what he can do.
Patto may be ok going forward but defensively he is a real liability so expect Garner there and Armstrong and Rohl in DM.
Front three is very debatable with McNeil not showing enough and the two strikers not being enough of a threat. We also need more creativity but apart from the youth players mentioned I don't see much.
54 Posted 09/01/2026 at 16:17:56
55 Posted 09/01/2026 at 16:25:50
After listening to Moyes's presser, I think he doubts getting anywhere near Wembley this season, so may be more negative about the Sunderland game.
56 Posted 09/01/2026 at 16:29:58
He has had a much better squad and has dug basically the same hole. Time is up, we don't want him back next season.
57 Posted 09/01/2026 at 16:32:19
What is the use of throwing this game like the Wolves game just to finish between 10th or 12th in the Premier League, we might as well just pack in all together.
58 Posted 09/01/2026 at 16:32:49
Bastard!
59 Posted 09/01/2026 at 16:52:37
60 Posted 09/01/2026 at 17:14:30
I was dreaming I was asleep but, when I woke up, I was still asleep.
If a player wants to play, he will train normally. But if a player doesn't like the way he's been treated by his manager, it's possible he might throw one in instead.
Throwing one in was a reference to someone saying they weren't fit because they didn't really fancy it for whatever reason, but hopefully Nathan Patterson, isn't injured and he's ready to play a part in an Everton victory tomorrow.
61 Posted 09/01/2026 at 17:30:43
Let's forget all that and our positive first part of the season and reiterate how much we don't rate Moyes as a manager. Yawn.
62 Posted 09/01/2026 at 17:44:36
Do you rate Moyes mate?
63 Posted 09/01/2026 at 18:02:54
64 Posted 09/01/2026 at 18:15:09
My prediction... 0-2.
Another season over.
65 Posted 09/01/2026 at 18:25:13
I shouldn't worry. Our "best" side right now with injuries and Afcon is stronger than the "B team" we put out versus Wolves.
And there is no way Moyes will send out untried Under-21s. He barely gives a run-out to the ones with Premier League experience.
66 Posted 09/01/2026 at 18:56:26
1. Predicting a weakened line-up without justification. Yes everyois citing the Carabao Cup game at Wolves where, to the best of my recollection, many on TW were calling to give the newer players a chance and now everyone has 20:20 vision when it backfired.
2. Forecasting a loss to justify your opposition to Moyes but go into hiding if we win.
3. I know Moyes has a contract till the end of 2026-27 season but, based on what he has achieved to date, especially with an ever-depleted squad who knows how TFG will judge him which in the end of the day is all that matters.
On looking to replace our last manager, I have seen candidates mentioned such as Maresca, Potter, Frank, Iriola, Nuno, Postacoglou and Glasner and, with the exception of the last, have all failed some miserably. Be careful for what we wish for.
All that matters is we pick the best team available and that those picked give it their all. Then we can decide, if we lose, whether it's the manager or the players.
67 Posted 09/01/2026 at 19:02:54
We are playing Leicester City at Walton Hall Ave if anyone is interested although the match has just started.
68 Posted 09/01/2026 at 19:03:36
But does it make sense maybe playing McNeil ahead of Dibling and playing maybe Rohl at fullback instead of Patterson, because Moyes doesn't trust them?
69 Posted 09/01/2026 at 19:24:34
Hopefully see some Graham from the bench.
70 Posted 09/01/2026 at 20:23:21
I think Armstrong had a few minutes here and there for the first team before he was selected to start the other night and although he was chosen it was out of necessity but looked like it will be easier to chose him again.
I would love to see Braiden Graham play for the first team... if not tomorrow, then before the season ends.
71 Posted 09/01/2026 at 20:49:04
Genuinely excited we have a gem there.
72 Posted 09/01/2026 at 21:56:20
After establishing one of the best displays of the season, by putting together our best centre-back partnerships, he destroys it in the next game. Not only was the performance in itself wery good, it inspired other team members to have their best games of the season: James Garner, Tim, etc. Having a solid foundation at the back, is absolutely essential, and inspires confirdence in the team, which was clearly seen against Forest. Any decent manager would have retained the same CB partnership for at least several games - but not Moyes!
What was he doing??? The team completely fell apart after Keane was brought in for the Brentford game. It affected all players, who were suddenly below par. This is where Moyes' lack of man-management skills become patently obviously: how do players after putting in such good performances react now they are being shifted around? They are rewarded by being moved out of position!
Would he swallow his pride and admit he made a mistake for the Brentford game? Not a chance! Then we have have sequence 2 of his current shit-how: Wolves!. There are no excuses for the players after the red cards, but I can understand their frustration with such appalling management.
So tomorrow, sequence 3 of the Moyes shit-show will continue. Yes, he'll be forced to bring back O'Brien to partner Tarkowski out of necessity!
Moyes will never accept any responsibility for his fuck-ups, and continues making the same mistakes year in and year out. This man is no good for Everton! He has no CV, and in a normal business never get an interview. Please leave our club you phoney!
73 Posted 09/01/2026 at 22:08:13
Have a whisky mate and cheer up!
COYB!
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1 Posted 09/01/2026 at 08:21:01
I reckon Moyes will not want to risk silly injuries to an already depleted squad and will play the U-21s and U-18s.
A game neither side wants contest.