Sunderland

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I've got cup fever!

It's been a long time since we could say that, but after what has felt like an eternity, Sunderland are in the hat for the fourth round of the FA Cup after our penalty shootout victory at Everton.

For the past decade, my team has been in a bit of a pickle and any idea of going on a cup run has been firmly put on the back burner.

But with 30 points on the board in January and Premier League safety practically guaranteed, we can dare to dream again and prioritise a good run in the cup.

We should be taking cup competitions seriously. That's the whole point of this thing, right? We all want to experience the feeling of winning. Lifting a cup is the best thing you can do outside of winning a Premier League, and that's basically a closed shop, so why not?

From the off, we were energetic and the tempo was good. While the scoreline might indicate this wasn't a particularly dominant Sunderland performance, I felt there was only ever really one team that was going to win it.

Our goal was superb - and it had to be Enzo le Fee. After all the carry-on last week with his terrible penalty at Brentford, he took his opportunity and celebrated in front of the near-8,000 Sunderland supporters in the stands.

And then came the undeserved Everton goal. It was never a penalty, and John Brooks ought to be ashamed for awarding it.

Extra time should be renamed "waste of time". Surely it will soon be scrapped in the FA Cup and we'll skip straight to the shootout?

The way Everton got back into the game was a joke, but it did give the travelling away fans another fun experience. Robin Roefs faced three penalties and saved them all, while Le Fee, Granit Xhaka and Luke O'Nien expertly dispatched their spot-kicks. Job done.

It's been a tough few weeks, but this win gives us momentum heading into an important game this weekend against Crystal Palace.

Let's dare to dream both in the FA Cup and the Premier League!

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

"It's a winnable and a decent draw to get to the next round. There's no complaints there".

That was the instinctive response when Sunderland were pulled out to face a trip to Oxford United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Take a listen to the reaction below and get all of your Sunderland AFC audio here

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the FA Cup fourth round has been made. Here is a list of all the ties involving Premier League teams in the order they were drawn.

The matches will be played over the weekend of 14 February.

• Liverpool/Barnsley v Brighton

• Stoke City v Fulham

• Oxford United v Sunderland

• Arsenal v Wigan Athletic

• Hull City v Chelsea

• Burton Albion v West Ham

• Burnley v Mansfield Town

• Grimsby Town v Wolves

• Aston Villa v Newcastle

• Manchester City v Salford City/Swindon Town

• Macclesfield v Brentford

• Birmingham City v Leeds

See the full draw

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland's Luke O'Nien said he was "enjoying" extra time against Everton after it allowed him to get more minutes under his belt following a spell on the sidelines.

O'Nien has made just three league appearances for Sunderland from the bench this season, having missed the opening few games through injury and then struggling to break into the starting line up.

But in his first start of the season, O'Nien played all 120 minutes and converted the winning penalty as Sunderland progressed past Everton in the FA Cup.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle after the game, O'Nien said: "A win is always a good day. I think I was the only one enjoying the extra minutes and extra time, I was thinking about getting those extra minutes under my belt.

"I really enjoyed the game, I had great people around me and they made the game easy by the way they talk and position themselves.

"To be able to put in a performance and get through to the next round, it's what we're here to do."

You can listen to more from O'Nien here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's FA Cup game between Everton and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Everton fans

Tony: We got what we deserved, beaten. More questions about Moyes as our manager with more and more fans becoming disgruntled with him. Yes he has a threadbare squad, but without our half decent first half of the season, again we'd be looking over our shoulder at another possible relegation battle. Villa next, yikes!

Jack: I'm afraid the game highlighted what we already knew. The squad is too thin to cover injuries and other absences for whatever reason. I accept Sunderland are playing well at the moment, but we looked miles behind them especially in the first half. Hopefully we'll soon be back to full strength, but it shows that we need to strengthen in the summer.

William: The outcome of the game was oh so predictable. A lack of creativity and determination and effort. Everton at home were dreadful and got what they deserved. The whole team - Pickford apart - showed no desire to win this game. The whole team need to practice their skills in penalty taking. Another trophy-less season again. Hopefully we will make mid-table in the league and quickly forget the miserable showing in the cup.

Thomas: With each passing week it's getting harder to distinguish this team from Everton under Sean Dyche.

Sunderland fans

Keith: In spite of a shocking penalty decision against us we played confidently and passed the ball round accurately. We desperately need a proven goal merchant. It was good to have a stress free penalty shootout for a change. Xhaka magnificent as usual.

Dave: After defeat against Brentford it was important not to panic by chasing a win. Fringe players got much needed game time and we still got a result, albeit against a lacklustre Everton.

Edward: Reacted really well to the defeat from Brentford. Very disappointed at the referee's penalty decision but great to see the team not drop their heads and actually play the better of the two sides. Well done to Luke O'Nien, coming into the team and giving such an outstanding performance. What a goalkeeper we have, he gave another tremendous performance.

Harry: What a comeback after Wednesday night. What a buy Robin Roefs is - I can't ever remember a keeper saving all penalties in a shootout. Just outstanding, give him a pay rise.

Image source, Getty Images

The 2025-26 FA Cup fourth-round draw will take place on Monday, 12 January at approximately 18:35 GMT.

Proceedings will take place before kick-off in the third-round tie between Liverpool and Barnsley at Anfield.

Former England internationals Steven Gerrard and Joe Cole will conduct the draw that will consist of 32 teams live on TNT Sports.

Supporters can also follow the draw on the BBC Sport website and app.

All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 14 February.

Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra time, and if necessary, a penalty shootout.

Non-league Macclesfield are the lowest-ranked team in the draw after beating holders Crystal Palace in a remarkable 2-1 victory.

What are the ball numbers?

• 1. Wolverhampton Wanderers

• 2. Southampton

• 3. Aston Villa

• 4. Port Vale

• 5. Wigan Athletic

• 6. Ipswich Town

• 7. Wrexham

• 8. Chelsea

• 9. Manchester City

• 10. West Ham United

• 11. Brentford

• 12. Fulham

• 13. Sunderland

• 14. Liverpool or Barnsley

• 15. Burnley

• 16. Norwich City

• 17. Arsenal

• 18. Leeds United

• 19. West Bromwich Albion

• 20. Salford City or Swindon Town

• 21. Burton Albion

• 22. Grimsby Town

• 23. Hull City

• 24. Newcastle United

• 25. Oxford United

• 26. Leicester City

• 27. Birmingham City

• 28. Bristol City

• 29. Stoke City

• 30. Macclesfield

• 31. Brighton & Hove Albion

• 32. Mansfield Town

Pundits Dion Dublin and Rob Green join host Jason Mohammad to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wrexham 3-3 (4-3 pens) Nottingham Forest

• Preston North End 0-1 Wigan

• Macclesfield Town 2-1 Crystal Palace

• Everton 1-1 (0-3 pens) Sunderland

• Wolves 6-1 Shrewsbury Town

• Fulham 3-1 Middlesbrough

• Manchester City 10-1 Exeter City

• Newcastle 3-3 (7-6 pens) Bournemouth

• Stoke City 1-0 Coventry City

• Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa

• Bristol City 5-1 Watford

• Cambridge United 2-3 Birmingham City

• Charlton 1-5 Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle following his side's penalty shootout victory at Everton: "It was a long game, maybe we should have won before [the match went to penalties] because it wasn't a good decision to award Everton's penalty [in normal time].

"But we were ready for the fight and we showed great composure on the ball as well.

"Finally, extra-time, we showed good control once again, and the penalty shootout - [it was] the shortest of my life - so I'm happy."

On Enzo Le Fee: "He was ill, so it shows great character and I think it's part of the process.

"If you take responsibility, you make mistakes [regarding Le Fee's missed penalty v Brentford] - a wrong decision, but today he did well.

"He is committed and ready to fight for the squad and I am happy for him."

Did you know?

• Sunderland have progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup for the second time in the last four seasons (also in 2022-23), having failed to do so in each of the previous seven campaigns beforehand.

Listen to Regis Le Bris' interview with BBC Radio Newcastle here

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Everton's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Everton have eight players out because of injuries, suspensions and international duty but David Moyes has named a relatively strong starting XI at least.

There are four changes from the draw with Wolves, two enforced after Jack Grealish and Michael Keane were sent off.

Nathan Patterson, Merlin Rohl, Beto and Tyler Dibling come in. There's no Tim Iroegbunam. David Moyes says he has a "slight injury".

Everton's bench is lacking experience with 17-year-old Malik Olayiwola in line for a debut.

Everton XI: Pickford; Mykolenko, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Patterson; Armstrong, Garner, Rohl; McNeil, Beto, Dibling.

Subs: Travers, King, Barry, Aznou, Graham, Welch, Campbell, Bates, Olayiwola

Sunderland have made five changes but it's still a pretty strong XI.

Luke O'Nien, Sunderland's captain from their rise from League One, makes his first start of the season while Noah Sadiki is back from Afcon. Romaine Mundle, Dennis Cirkin and Elizer Mayenda are the others to start. Wilson Isidor is back on the bench after injury.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, O'Nien, Cirkin, Xhaka, Sadiki, Mundle, Le Fee, Adingra, Mayenda

Subs: Patterson, Ballard, Alderete, Neil, Hjelde, Isidor, Brobbey, Rigg, Geertruida.

There are 18 third-round ties in the FA Cup on Saturday - 16 involving Premier League and Championship teams, who all enter the competition at this stage - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Cheltenham v Leicester (12:15) - BBC Radio Leicester

• Everton v Sunderland (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Macclesfield v Crystal Palace (12:15) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Manchester

• Wolves v Shrewsbury (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3 & BBC Radio WM

• Boreham Wood v Burton Albion

• Burnley v Millwall - BBC Radio London

• Doncaster v Southampton - BBC Radio Solent

• Fulham v Middlesbrough - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ipswich v Blackpool - BBC Radio Suffolk

• Man City v Exeter City - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Newcastle v Bournemouth - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 & BBC Radio Newcastle

• Salford P-P Swindon

• Sheff Wed v Brentford

• Stoke v Coventry - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3, BBC Radio Stoke & BBC Radio CWR

• Bristol City v Watford (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Three Counties Radio

• Cambridge United v Birmingham (17:45) - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Grimsby v Weston (17:45)

• Tottenham v Aston Villa (17:45) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London

• Charlton v Chelsea (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio London

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

And find out how to follow the FA Cup across the BBC this weekend here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Fulham v Middlesbrough" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Aston Villa", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

I wouldd like to think these teams will have a real go at the FA Cup this season, because neither of them have got relegation to worry about, but they both come into this tie off the back of poor results.

The Black Cats' defeat at Brentford was a very un-Sunderland like performance compared to what we've seen from them this season, while Everton will be very disappointed to have only drawn at home to Wolves.

The last time Sunderland reached the final, when they lost to Liverpool in 1992, they broke my heart on the way when they beat my Norwich side in the semi-final. I missed a great chance in that game too, when I ballooned a shot over the bar.

It still haunts me how we didn't make it to Wembley that year - we deserved to. Sunderland are due another FA Cup run because they have only made it to round four once in the past 10 years, but I don't think this is their year either.

I can see this going to penalties, and Jordan Pickford will win it for the Toffees.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1 aet, Everton win on penalties

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Former Sunderland player Martin Smith thinks edging past Everton in the FA Cup could open up a pathway for the Black Cats in the competition.

Smith thinks Regis le Bris' side could "have a right go" at the competition if they progress and players return from the Africa Cup of Nations for the remainder of the tournament.

Find your Sunderland audio from BBC Radio Newcastle

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup game against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium (kick-off 12:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news: "Wilson Isidor is getting better, he trained this morning with the squad and we'll see if he's available or not. We're just on the limit, we don't want to take unnecessary risks, so we'll see. Everyone looks OK."

• Le Bris refused to cite fatigue as an excuse for the defeat against Brentford, instead pointing to his side's failure to capitalise on their chances. However, he added that it is "really important to experience those situations to grow".

• On taking the FA Cup seriously: "We want to go strong because we respect this competition, and at the same time, we'll have to manage the load of a few players. So at the moment, we don't have the full picture because the schedule is so busy that every hour, I think it's useful to understand exactly the situation. So we won't take unnecessary risks, but we will select the best team as possible, so we'll see."

• On transfer activity involving Romaine Mundle: "The conversation is open for every player who likes minutes. It's always the case. The most important thing is the club project. This is the first project, the first idea. After that, depending on the situation, if we can expect for the second part of the season, that the player won't play a lot, it means that you can find a solution, and you have to find another club with a good project as well. So I still say that it's important to stay open, to avoid misunderstandings and if it's clear for everyone, after that you can move forward."

• On Everton's injuries: "It's part of the decision, but I think we have to stay focused on us, so how we can build the best squad, the best possible squad, and obviously if they don't have those threats, like [Iliman] Ndiaye and [Jack] Grealish, the team is a bit different, but they still have many good players."

Listen to Le Bris speak on BBC Sounds

How to follow the FA Cup on BBC

Listen to live commentary of Everton vs Sunderland on BBC Radio Newcastle and BBC Radio Sports Extra 2 from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Brentford and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Brentford fans

Chuck: Outstanding from start to finish, Brentford blew away an accomplished Sunderland, with Vitaly Janelt pulling the strings in midfield and Igor Thiago doing what he does best: dominating defences and scoring goals. To be fifth in the table at this stage of the season is a tremendous effort by all concerned. Long may Brentford's progress continue.

Keith: Dominated most of the game. Lots of confidence in the team. Not sure Keith Andrews should have started without Mikkel Damsgaard or Jordan Henderson. To me they are similar players and we play better if one of them is on the pitch.

Richard: Absolutely brilliant. Brentford fought for every ball and everyone was worried at the start of the season. Thomas Frank, you made a big mistake.

Michael: Brilliant display by the Bees. Is Caoimhin Kelleher the coolest keeper in the Premier League? He seems unfazed, no matter the situation.

Sunderland fans

Rob: A tired performance from a depleted squad; nothing to panic about, we will bounce back. We can forgive Enzo le Fee with that penalty miss as he has been superb all season.

Andrew: At some point we had to have a poor performance. The penalty miss drained our energy and it could have been more than three goals from Brentford. We learn from the experience and move on. Let's remember, we still have 30 points and the Afcon players are coming back. Still proud of the season's achievements so far.

Colin: Sunderland were poor all over the park. We've got nothing to complain about as we got exactly what we deserved - there is no excusing that performance.

Alan: In football, one team loses so another wins. Penalties get missed or saved. The lads were beaten by a very good workmanlike team. Move on!

Pundits Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock are on hand to bring you the action and talking points from the nine Premier League fixtures so far this week.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

Sunderland manager Regis le Bris, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It is a tough place. Well done to Brentford because they were good. We didn't start well. We had the opportunity to be back in the game but we missed it.

"It was like going 2-0 because the energy of the stadium went high and it was the beginning of the end for us. It was the main switch of the game and after that they were better than us.

"We have to lose as a team. We were not at the level. We won't search for excuses we have to manage the conditions we have."

Hear more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Sunderland failed to convert their first penalty in the Premier League since Sebastian Larsson against Wolves in December 2011, with the Black Cats scoring their previous 25 spot-kicks in the competition.

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland's performances this season - and the heights they have reached - would have shocked even the most optimistic Black Cats' fan.

Depleted by injury and the loss of players to the Africa Cup of Nations, they have battled brilliantly during the hectic festive period but the game at Brentford proved one too many.

They were slow out of the blocks in west London, with a number of sloppy passes from the back causing problems.

The first goal came after the ball was lost cheaply in midfield before one pass took out the entire backline.

It stayed at 1-0 until half-time and Regis le Bris' side came out fighting to start the second half, putting pressure on the hosts for the first time and winning a spot-kick when Brian Brobbey rolled Kristoffer Ajer and was brought down.

Enzo le Fee, who has performed so well for Sunderland this season, stepped up and attempted a Panenka.

Such cheeky efforts look great when they go in. Not so much when they don't. This was surely the simplest of Caoimhin Kelleher's four penalty saves in the top flight.

The Republic of Ireland international now has a 67% penalty save rate, the best of any goalkeeper to face five or more penalties in the Premier League.

It was a boost for Brentford that deflated Sunderland. If that had not already finished them off, the second and third goals soon afterwards did.

But with players beginning to return from Afcon, Sunderland will hope to get back on track before too long.

Listen to post-match reaction from BBC Radio Newcastle here

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Brentford's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Keith Andrews makes two changes to the Brentford side that started their 4-2 victory at Everton on Sunday.

Left-back Rico Henry and winger Keane Lewis-Potter come in with Aaron Hickey and Mikkel Damsgaard dropping to the bench.

Brentford XI: Kelleher, Kayode, Ajer, Collins, Henry, Yarmoliuk, Janelt, Jensen, Lewis-Potter, Schade, Igor Thiago.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Hickey, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Nelson, Damsgaard, Peart-Harris, Donovan.

There are also two changes to the Sunderland team from their draw at Tottenham as Dan Ballard returns to the starting XI after injury.

Regis Le Bris also brings Chris Rigg into the line-up with Dennis Cirkin and Eliezer Mayenda among the substitutes.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Mukiele, Ballard, Alderete, Geertruida, Hume, Xhaka, Le Fee, Adingra, Rigg, Brobbey.

Subs: Patterson, Cirkin, Neil, Mayenda, O'Nien, Mundle, Hjelde, Jones, Tutierov.

There are eight games in the Premier League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Tottenham

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

• Everton v Wolves

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Brighton

• Burnley v Manchester United (20:15)

• Newcastle v Leeds (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here