‘What were you thinking?’ – Everton fans furious with Merlin Rohl after what he did vs Sunderland

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Everton fans were left furious with Merlin Röhl after a key moment in the FA Cup clash against Sunderland, questioning his decision-making and composure in front of goal. Supporters took to social media to vent their anger, asking, “What were you thinking?” after the midfielder squandered a major opportunity when Everton were pushing to turn the tie in their favour.

Röhl, recently back from a hernia operation and still working towards full match sharpness, had been handed a valuable chance to impress in a much-rotated Everton side hit by injuries and suspensions. With several first-team regulars unavailable and David Moyes relying on fringe players to step up, fans expected Röhl to seize his moment and show the quality that had excited coaches earlier in the season.

Instead, the flashpoint came when Röhl received the ball in a promising attacking position but failed to make the right choice. Rather than picking out a teammate or keeping his composure, he opted for an ambitious effort from distance that flew harmlessly wide, drawing groans in the stadium and an immediate backlash online. Given that Sunderland went on to take the lead, many Everton supporters viewed Röhl’s decision as a turning point that summed up the team’s wastefulness.

Some fans defended the German, pointing out his lack of rhythm after injury and the pressure on a young player operating in a patched-up side. However, the dominant reaction was one of frustration, with many arguing that such moments are exactly why Everton struggle in tight cup ties. The incident has sparked debate over Röhl’s role in the squad, whether he is ready to be trusted in high-stakes games, and if Moyes can afford to keep giving opportunities to players who fail to deliver when it matters most.