RATINGS V EFC

Sunderland are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup after knocking fellow Premier League side out 3-0 on penalties. The game finished 1-1 after extra time, with both goals occurring within the initial 90 minutes. Enzo Le Fee gave us the lead on the half hour mark but Everton were awarded a penalty, which they converted on 89 minutes. The home side had all three of their penalties saved by Robin Roefs and we scored all three of ours, Luke O’Nien having the honours of the decisive spot kick, to send us through to the next round.

ROBIN ROEFS: 10/10

Made two fairly routine saves during the match and crucially saved all three pens in the shootout. Also had good command of his box when necessary. You can’t ask for anything more from your goalkeeper and he very nearly saved their spot kick in regular time.

TRAI HUME: 9/10

Technically Hume gave the penalty away but, it just wasn’t a penalty was it? Did really well throughout and drove us forward at times.

NORDI MUKIELE: 8/10

Was good today, tidy and effective. The only exemption was he failed to clear his lines and it resulted in the referee having to make a decision for the penalty. Again though, an incredibly harsh decision.

LUKE O’NIEN: 9.5/10

If Roefs hadn’t of made three penalty saves, O’Nien would have been my choice for Man of the Match. Defensively top notch, was able to knock us forward a few paces whenever he got the ball and scored the winning penalty in the shootout. Not out of place at all.

DENNIS CIRKIN: 8/10

He had a good game but his passing could have been better sometimes.

GRANIT XHAKA: 8.5/10

One of our best players for three quarters of regular time and then tiredness got the better of him a bit. Got booked for dissent after the penalty was award, which is unnecessary but the decision was shocking so I can’t blame him.

NOAH SADIKI: 8.5/10

Similar to Xhaka, not sure if one of the two could have been brought off for Lutsharel Geertruida because they both looked exhausted in the end. Had a decent effort blocked inside the box in the first half.

SIMON ADINGRA: 5/10

Not great unfortunately, couldn’t get past his man very often and didn’t drive forward with enough intent to do anything of note. Wasn't comfortable on the right wing.

ENZO LE FEE: 9.5/10

Rectified Wednesday nights error, scoring a penalty in the shootout and grabbing the goal with a lovely volley. Loved to create a chance as well and technically superb.

ROMAINE MUNDLE: 7/10

Got a decent number of shots away, one of which caused Jordan Pickford some anxiety. Kept mucking up when cutting inside though, particularly after the break.

ELIEZER MAYENDA: 8/10

Got the assist and looked bright. I do think he should have taken a shot a couple of times when he chose not to though, however he did almost score with a well-worked chance in the second half.

SUBSTITUTES:

DAN BALLARD: 8/10

No complaints from me about his performance, slotted into the defence without any bother.

BRIAN BROBBEY: 6/10

Made literally three touches. Looked leggy but he was, presumably, carrying a knock. Hopefully nothing serious.

WILSON ISIDOR: 7/10

Came on for Brobbey and tussled for the ball quite well, added a bit more contention higher up the pitch when we needed it.