Injury-Hit Blues Bow Out Of Cup On Penalties

Injury-hit Everton showed plenty of fight before exiting the FA Cup on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Black Cats looked to be heading for the next round after Enzo Le Fee's first-half volley. But substitute Adam Aznou made an instant impact on his Toffees debut, winning possession and being brought down by Trai Hume for James Garner to net from the penalty spot on 89 minutes.

The teams could still not be separated in extra-time, meaning the first-ever FA Cup tie at Hill Dickinson went to penalties. It was a shootout to forget for David Moyes' men, however, as Garner, Thierno Barry and Beto all had their efforts saved by Robin Roefs, denying Everton progress despite a spirited display with so many first-teamers missing.

Moyes' list of first-team absentees increased to nine players after Iroebugnam was ruled out of the tie through injury.

That saw Merlin Röhl come into the midfield as one of four changes from Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Wolves alongside Patterson at right-back, Tyler Dibling ahead of him on the wing, and Beto preferred to Thierno Barry as the striker.

Meanwhile, Everton's youthful substitutes' bench included 17-year-old midfielder Malik Olayiwola and forward Braiden Graham.

Their fellow Academy graduate Armstrong was handed his second successive start in the No.10 role and, after a tricky opening for the Blues, the 18-year-old had the first chance of the contest on 22 minutes, collecting a cleared Garner free-kick and sending a half-volley wide from the edge of the area.

But just as the hosts were in the ascendancy, Sunderland went ahead on the half-hour mark, a long throw from the right finding its way to Eliezer Mayenda who prodded left for Le Fee to curl a volley into the far corner.

Everton responded when Mykolenko was released down the left flank, reaching Sunderland's box and driving an effort across goal. Roefs made a fingertip save to nudge the ball behind, but referee John Brooks awarded a goal-kick.

Pickford had to be alert with four minutes of the first half remaining as the ex-Sunderland keeper parried away Nordi Mukiele's acrobatic overhead kick following a corner.

And the England No.1 was at it again moments later, tipping Romaine Mundle's powerful 25-yard effort over the bar.

The Blues produced some flowing football at the start of the second half, working the ball from left to right which ended with Patterson squaring to Garner to glide in a cross from the edge of the area for Beto to plant a header into the arms of Roefs.

Sunderland went close again just past the hour, Mayenda finding space for himself in the area and driving an angled finish inches past the right-hand post.

Everton had appeals for a penalty soon after when Beto went down with his shirt being tugged by Luke O'Nien – referee Brooks waving play on – before Mykolenko cracked a fierce 25-yard stinger into the arms of Roefs.

Moyes' experienced options off the bench were limited but Barry was brought on for Dibing with 15 minutes remaining as Everton went with two up top.

And the substitute went close two minutes after coming on, nodding McNeil's right-wing cross narrowly wide from eight yards out.

The next change proved the difference. With four minutes of normal time left, Aznou was handed his competitive debut for the Club, replacing Rohl.

And the summer signing from Bayern Munich put Everton back in the tie almost instantly, doing so well to win the ball back inside Sunderland's area, jinking past two challenges and being clipped by Hume.

To the delight of Evertonians, Brooks pointed to the spot and Garner banged the spot-kick into the bottom right-hand corner to force extra-time.

The substitutes continued to have an impact and as the first half of extra-time came to a close, Barry intercepted on halfway, fed Garner who played Beto down the right channel to whack a first-time finish into the side netting.

Seconds later, Eli Campbell was introduced for his senior Everton debut in place of the hard-working Mykolenko. And with legs tiring, Reece Welch was next on for Patterson, who lasted 115 minutes despite spending much of this campaign out injured.

There were hearts in mouths with two minutes of extra-time remaining when Xhaka's 20-yard drive took a wicked deflection off Tarkowski before, thankfully, creeping beyond the post.

And that was the last meaningful action as the tie went to penalties.

Everton won the toss to get to take their spot-kicks in front of the South Stand – but this time Garner saw his effort saved by Roefs when he opted to go left second time around.

Le Fee netted Sunderland's first, and the Blues were left with a mountain to climb when Barry had his low effort kept out by Roefs.

Xhaka made it 2-0 to the visitors, before Beto missed his attempt. O'Nien struck the winner to send the Black Cats into the fourth round.