Anjishnu Roy 11/01/2026 24comments  |  Jump to last

David Moyes was left unhappy with his side’s performance in the penalty shootout against Sunderland that saw them crash out of the FA Cup in the third round.

The Toffees chased shadows of the opposition for most of the contest after Enzo Le Fee put Sunderland ahead after the half-hour mark. Adam Aznou came off the bench for his first official appearance in a royal blue shirt and won a penalty that forced extra time.

With both sides unable to find a go-ahead goal in extra time, the Hill Dickinson Stadium saw its first penalty shootout. However, it turned out to be an absolute nightmare as James Garner, Thierno Barry and Beto all saw their tame efforts saved by Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs while Jordan Pickford couldn’t manage a single save.

“I don't think you blame anybody when you lose a penalty shootout. It's something that can happen, the goalkeeper is there to make saves,” David Moyes said after the game.

“But I think there is a way to lose if you're going to do that. It felt as if we didn't look as if we didn't do it in that way and that's why we have all walked away with huge disappointment.”

Further clarifying his point, Moyes - most likely hinting at the lack of conviction in Beto and Barry’s penalties - said, “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 shootout 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 in the taking of it.”

 

Reader Comments (24)

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Neil Lawson
1 Posted 11/01/2026 at 13:25:15
Headline should be: "ToffeeWebbers slam inept management".

Penalties were pathetic and abysmal but we shouldn't have even been there. We were dreadful throughout and our penalty never was. Well beaten over 90 minutes.

Andy Meighan
2 Posted 11/01/2026 at 13:30:28
The way to win that penalty shoot out is not to let them two useless bastards, Barry and Beto, take any penalties.

Beto missed one against West Ham a couple of seasons back which was as bad as that miserable effort yesterday. Barry can't strike a ball so whoever put them on penalties wants choking.

McNeil, Tarkowski and Aznou were all available so let them take one -- not them two who haven't got an ounce of confidence in them.

The sooner we get our missing players back, the better, cos their replacements just aren't up to it.

Billy Shears
3 Posted 11/01/2026 at 13:33:36
With our piss poor record in penalty shoot-outs, we should've won the game in 90 or 120 minutes!

Poor excuses from Moyes... yet again!!

Kevin Molloy
4 Posted 11/01/2026 at 13:41:34
So the verdict is in. Eleven players out, and drawing with Sunderland yesterday with a final XI with Adam, Reece and Elijah on the pitch, and two teenagers. The fact we then lost the penalty shootout is all Moyes's fault.

Right. And this is in the first month of his second year in charge. His first year delivered a 60-point season, from a team which, when he took over, had scored 2 goals in 10 games.

When did we (you) become so hysterical and unreasonable?

Michael Kenrick
5 Posted 11/01/2026 at 13:48:07
I think there is a way to lose.

Spoken like a true loser.

Raymond Fox
6 Posted 11/01/2026 at 14:09:03
Moyes doesn't 'slam' the penalties -- he says they were poorly taken, thats Andishnu using an emotive language title, trying to stir it.

I thought that's what we are all saying, they were poor penalty attempts.

Michael Kenrick
7 Posted 11/01/2026 at 14:30:47
Kevin @4,

You say here and elsewhere there were 11 players out…

I wonder if you can name them all?

Mark Murphy
8 Posted 11/01/2026 at 14:39:41
Keane

Branthwaite

Gana Gueye

Dewsbury Hall

Ndiaye

Grealish

Alcaraz

Ibroegbunam

Coleman

That’s 9.

Who are the other two?

Jim Bennings
9 Posted 11/01/2026 at 14:43:53
If I had to pick them I'd probably have selectrd Garner the first taker in fairness however I'd have gone out of the box and picked Jordan Pickford because one of his strongest suits is his technical ability and I'd have backed him confidently.

My other selection would have been Tarkowski because you can be certain he'd have absolutely wellied it.

Steve Brown
10 Posted 11/01/2026 at 14:47:51
Mark @ 8, Beto and Barry?

Alan J Thompson
11 Posted 11/01/2026 at 14:53:00
I assume that Moyes decided who and in what order the penalties would be taken so is he now telling us he had never seen or had no idea who might be competent or did he, in true managerial fashion, just call for volunteers. Still given the injuries he probably thought the others just represented 10 pressed men.
Josh Horne
12 Posted 11/01/2026 at 14:59:18
Wrexham's penalties on Friday against Forest were absolutely faultless. Its almost as if they knew this was a likely scenario and prepared for it, cheating bastards.
Kevin Molloy
13 Posted 11/01/2026 at 14:59:54
we lost our fullbacks as well during the game Michael. By the finish we had kids all over the place.
Eddie Dunn
14 Posted 11/01/2026 at 15:18:04
Alan, as pens loomed I saw Baines writing down the list.
Martin Reppion
15 Posted 11/01/2026 at 15:23:40
Eddie. I couldn't see what Baines was writing. It could have been the coaching staff's order for the chippy after the game.
Bill Fairfield
16 Posted 11/01/2026 at 15:36:18
The club’s build up to the game lacked conviction. Little wonder the team also did.
John Williams
17 Posted 11/01/2026 at 15:49:47
I would love too see some of you guys on here manager this squad of players. You would be out of Finch Farm faster than Bolt.

We have a very poor squad of players, who would struggle in the Zingari League, if it was still going ?

Many don t have the same loyalty to the club as many supporters do,they are here for the money, they will move on to another club, kiss the badge and bank the money.

The game is so different to the older days, when players arrived in this area, played for the club and settled down and stayed inthe area after their footballing days were over.

Its a different footballing era, sadly we can only accept it.

Paul Hewitt
18 Posted 11/01/2026 at 15:55:20
John@17. I would certainly play players in there proper positions. And have given Aznu more game time
Mark Murphy
19 Posted 11/01/2026 at 17:43:23
Steve, I’m trying to think of the 11 injured. I can only think of those 9?

Barry and Beto may be shite but they aren’t injured.

Mark Murphy
20 Posted 11/01/2026 at 17:47:23
Injured or unavailable, I meant
Mark Murphy
21 Posted 11/01/2026 at 17:59:34
When Grealish, Ndiaye, KDH and Gana are all available again, what do we do with Harrison Armstrong?
Mike Gaynes
22 Posted 11/01/2026 at 18:10:06
Murph #21, I hope send him back to Preston.

Four months in the crucible of a Championship playoff race will season him into a top professional much better than sitting on our bench watching Garner, Gana and maybe KDH or Tim play his position.

I think he would come back to us starter-ready for next season.

Mike Gaynes
23 Posted 11/01/2026 at 18:12:19
Murph #8, Patto and Myko both limped off late on, replaced by youngsters. That makes 11.
Martin Berry
24 Posted 11/01/2026 at 18:18:06
Sunderland knew how to take penalties, hit it hard and accurate, no fancy "fannying" around.

Did we not practice pens in training ?, obviously not, otherwise surely they would have been better, that is a question that should have been asked.

We also need a set piece coach because we don't know how to defend or score from them, our record at this time is awful.

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