Adam Aznou arrives as 3/10 summer signing finished – Everton player ratings vs Sunderland
David Moyes watched his Everton side embarrass themselves in a penalty shootout against Sunderland as they crashed out of the FA Cup.
Everton hosted Sunderland at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday in an FA Cup third-round clash where Moyes would have wanted his side to bounce back.
The 62-year-old head coach shook things up, as Tyler Dibling was given a chance to impress, along with the likes of Merlin Rohl and Beto.
James Garner scored a late penalty to cancel out Enzo Le Fee’s first-half strike as the sides had to battle it out in extra time.
Unfortunately, the Toffees were knocked out after losing 3-0 following a dramatic penalty shootout.
Adam Aznou has Everton breakthrough vs Sunderland
Adam Aznou hasn’t been given a chance at Everton since joining from Bayern Munich this summer, and has even been linked with a January move away.
The left-back has often featured on the Toffees’ bench, but was handed his first minutes in an Everton shirt against Sunderland.
Moyes decided to bring on the Moroccan in the dying minutes of normal time, and what a decision that was.
| Minutes | Penalties won | Ground duels won |
| 34 | 1 | 5 |
Aznou immediately picked up attacking positions for the Blues and won the crucial penalty that Garner then dispatched to send the game to extra time.
Vitalii Mykolenko wasn’t exactly impressive, as Aznou may have given Moyes a clear team selection choice to make moving forward.
Merlin Rohl has been a failed signing
Merlin Rohl has struggled since arriving at Everton with injuries and a lack of game time.
Many have suggested that the German has just needed some time to settle in, but the proof is for all to see now.
The midfielder wasted an opportunity in the first half when Sunderland’s Robin Roefs gifted Everton a great chance to attack. He opted to shoot from 35 yards instead, and what a terrible shot it was.
Rohl then flicked a header straight into the path of Eliezer Mayenda, who gave it to Le Fee to curl into the Everton net.
He’s been nothing short of a disaster signing, and he needs to go in January.
Everton ratings vs Sunderland
Jordan Pickford – 8
Nathan Patterson – 6 (off for Welch 116′)
Jake O’Brien – 7
James Tarkowski – 8
Vitalii Mykolenko – 6 (off for Campbell 104′)
James Garner – 8
Merlin Rohl – 3 (off for Aznou 86′)
Harrison Armstrong – 6
Tyler Dibling – 5 (off for Barry 75′)
Dwight McNeil – 5
Beto – 4
Substitutions
Adam Aznou – 8 (on for Rohl 86′)
Elijah Campbell – 5 (on for Mykolenko 104′)
Reece Welch – N/A (on for Patterson 116′)
Thierno Barry – 6 (on for Dibling 75′)