OVER and out? Garner remains positive after cup collapse

JAMES

- By CONNOR O'NEILL ECHO Reporter

Garner shut down the suggestion that Everton’s season is over and insisted “no excuses” can be made for the way they were dumped out of the FA Cup.The Blues’ hopes of silverware came to a premature end once again on Saturday after three woeful penalties in a shootout that saw Sunderland advance into the fourth round with a 3-0 spot-kicks victory.

David Moyes’ side deservedly fell behind when Enzo Le Fee scored an excellent volley past Jordan Pickford after some poor defending. At that stage it looked as though Everton's struggles at Hill Dickinson Stadium were set to continue.

However, they were handed a lifeline when referee John Brooks deemed Trai Hume had fouled Adam Aznou inside the area, with Garner stepping up to send the tie to extra-time.

But when penalty kicks came around, Garner, Thierno Barry and Beto all saw their efforts saved by Robin Roefs as the Blues became only the second topflight side to lose a shootout in the competition without scoring any of their attempts.