Roy Keane completely lost with Sunderland trio after horrific display vs Port Vale

Roy Keane Tears Into Sunderland Trio After Shocking FA Cup Exit to Port ValeIn a stunning FA Cup fifth-round upset at Vale Park, League One side Port Vale claimed a famous 1-0 victory over Championship high-flyers Sunderland on March 8, 2026. The match, which concluded just moments ago, saw the Black Cats dominate possession with 67% of the ball and muster 12 shots, yet they failed to find the net. Port Vale’s Ben Waine struck the decisive blow in the 28th minute with a well-placed header, assisted by Dajaune Brown, sending the home crowd into ecstasy and booking their spot in the quarter-finals for the first time in decades.Sunderland’s performance was labeled “horrific” by fans and pundits alike, as they squandered numerous chances despite controlling the game. The visitors’ expected goals (xG) tallied 1.72 compared to Port Vale’s meager 0.34, highlighting their wastefulness in front of goal. Referee Anthony Taylor oversaw a tense affair, with Brown earning a yellow card for a foul shortly after the goal, but Sunderland couldn’t capitalize on set pieces or their six corners.

Post-match, former Sunderland manager and ITV pundit Roy Keane didn’t hold back in his scathing assessment. Keane, who led the club to promotion in 2007, targeted a trio of players—defenders Dan Ballard and Trai Hume, along with midfielder Pierre Ekwah—for their lackluster display. “It’s utter madness,” Keane fumed on air. “Ballard and Hume are supposed to be the backbone, but they were all over the shop. That goal? Schoolboy stuff—poor marking, no communication. And Ekwah in midfield? He’s strolling around like it’s a friendly. These lads have no fight, no energy. Sunderland fans deserve better than this embarrassment against a team scrapping in League One.”

Keane’s rant echoed his past criticisms, recalling Sunderland’s defensive woes in their 3-0 loss to Newcastle two years prior. He blasted the team’s decision-making, saying, “You’ve got 67% possession and can’t score? That’s not bad luck; that’s incompetence. The excuses will come—tired legs, the pitch—but it’s disgraceful. Sort it out or ship out.”

Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris, under pressure despite a solid Championship campaign, defended his side but admitted improvements were needed. “We created chances but lacked the killer instinct,” he said. Port Vale manager Jon Brady hailed his team’s resilience: “What a story—this is for the fans.”

This defeat ends Sunderland’s FA Cup run and piles pressure ahead of their league fixtures. For Port Vale, it’s a dream result, proving giant-killings are alive in the competition. As Keane put it, “Football’s about results, not pretty stats. Sunderland got what they deserved—nothing.”