“PURE RED CARD – NO ONE WILL BELIEVE IN THE FA CUP AGAIN IF SUNDERLAND HAD LOST” – Alan Shearer Backs Sunderland After Explosive Penalty Drama

Sunderland’s dramatic FA Cup victory over Everton has sparked a storm of controversy, but this time the spotlight has swung firmly in favour of the Black Cats after pundit Alan Shearer delivered a brutal verdict that left Everton furious and Sunderland fans vindicated.

The tie finished 1–1 after 90 minutes, with Enzo Le Fée giving Sunderland the lead in the 30th minute before James Garner equalised late from the penalty spot in the 89th minute. What followed was a one-sided penalty shootout that stunned Goodison Park and sent Sunderland through in emphatic fashion, with goalkeeper Roefs producing a heroic display to save three penalties and secure a 3–0 shootout win.

However, the real talking point came after the match.

Everton manager David Moyes claimed the referee was “against” his side, despite Everton being awarded a late penalty that dragged them back into the game. Moyes suggested key decisions went the wrong way and hinted that Sunderland were favoured in crucial moments.

That argument was completely torn apart by Alan Shearer.

Speaking on live television after reviewing the incident from multiple angles, the former England striker did not mince his words.

“It’s a pure red card. Absolutely clear,” Shearer said. “If Sunderland had lost this game, no one would believe in the FA Cup competition again. That’s how bad it would have looked.”

Shearer revealed he had studied the footage repeatedly and insisted Sunderland were denied a stonewall penalty and a red card decision that could have ended the contest long before the shootout.

“The referee neglected it. There’s no debate,” he added. “David Moyes complaining here is pathetic. He got a penalty at the end of the game and still wants more.”

Those comments immediately sent social media into meltdown. Sunderland fans flooded timelines praising Shearer for “saying what everyone could see,” while Everton supporters accused the pundit of bias and disrespect toward Moyes.

Many Sunderland fans pointed to the referee’s failure to act earlier in the match as proof that the odds were stacked against them.

“Three penalties saved. Mental strength. Justice served,” one supporter posted.

Another wrote: “Roefs won us that tie, but the referee tried his best to take it away.”

Roefs’ shootout heroics quickly became the defining image of the night. Calm, composed, and dominant, the Sunderland goalkeeper read every kick perfectly, stopping three successive Everton penalties and silencing the home crowd.