Everton Suffer Double Blow Ahead Of Saturday’s FA Cup Clash With Sunderland

Everton received two red cards against Wolves on Wednesday, meaning they will be missing two key men against Sunderland this weekend.

In a scrappy and ill-tempered affair, Everton saw both Jack Grealish and Michael Keane dismissed in midweek.

The Toffees were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against bottom club Wolves.

David Moyes’ side had taken the lead through Keane, before Mateus Mane equalised for the visitors.

Wolves have now taken five points from their last three games, more than they had won in the previous 18.

They were on track to be the worst Premier League team ever, but recent results mean they may avoid that fate.

For Everton, though, it was another night of missed opportunities.

Any hope of the hosts taking three points quickly evaporated when two of their players were given their marching orders in the closing stages.

Everton Receive Two Red Cards In Wolves Draw

The first Everton red card was awarded to goalscorer Michael Keane.

Thirty-two-year-old defender Keane was dismissed after pulling the hair of Wolves’ Tolu Arokodare.

Referee Thomas Kirk was sent to the VAR screen and agreed with video assistant Chris Kavanagh, showing Keane a straight red.

“[The referee] has to [take context into account]. It can’t just be a law and [applied] the same for every situation. Keano’s hand has to go on his back – that’s how you head the ball to protect yourself. I even spoke to the lad after the game and he was saying he wasn’t asking…

— Everton (@Everton) January 7, 2026

And in the 90th minute, England international Grealish was also sent off.

Manchester City loanee Grealish – who has a £50 million future fee – was shown a second yellow card after sarcastically applauding a decision from the referee.

The pair will now miss the next one and three games respectively, meaning both will be absent on Saturday.

Everton Boss David Moyes Criticises ‘Ridiculous’ Red Card Decision

Discussing Keane’s straight red, Toffees boss Moyes voiced his frustration.

“It is not violent, it is not forceful and it is not deliberate,” said Moyes.

“So, all of those things I have said mean it shouldn’t have been a red card. I think it was a really poor decision to send him to the screen in the first place.

“[Marc] Cucurella got his hair pulled. Violent conduct, a deliberate action, no problem with that.

“But this was in the game, on a ball coming up, and unless you have played the game, you might not understand.

“It’s not violent conduct or a deliberate action. It didn’t warrant a sending off.”

David Moyes’ #EVEWOL reaction as he admitted we didn’t play well enough tonight. pic.twitter.com/4jULB13TzX

— Everton (@Everton) January 7, 2026

“I have been a centre-half and there is no way I am jumping to out-jump a big centre forward and think, ‘Oh, by the way, I am going to out-jump him and, at the same time, I am going to pull his hair.’

“I don’t know anyone on the planet who is good enough to think that way when they are jumping up,” continued Moyes.

“It was a ridiculous decision by the referee but more by VAR. I thought the ridiculous bit came from VAR.

“If anyone grows their hair a bit longer, they have a chance of getting it pulled. Crazy. It was a ridiculous decision. Everybody was frustrated, everybody could not believe it.”

But the Scottish coach was more accepting of the second yellow given to Jack Grealish.

Asked if Grealish’s behaviour was unprofessional, he said: “Yes, I agree and I already have done [spoken to Grealish].”

Everton’s FA Cup third round tie against Sunderland kicks off at 12:15 on Saturday at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.