The worst penalty shoot-out ever? Penalty-by-penalty analysis of Sunderland's Capital One Cup victory over Manchester United

Four efforts saved, three attempts off-target and only three goals - was this the worst penalty shoot-out in history?

Jack de Menezes
Thursday 23 January 2014 16:22 GMT
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Phil Jones misses his penalty for Manchester United
Phil Jones misses his penalty for Manchester United

As penalty shoot-outs go, this one was a tense, nervy affair that had everyone watching on the edge of their seat. But as far as confident finishing under pressure goes, this wasn’t one for the history books.

Having seen the first two penalties blazed over the crossbar, you would have backed striker Steven Fletcher to break the deadlock. But Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea had other ideas, as he kept out the Scotsman’s attempt to keep the scoreline goalless.

As questions began to creep into everyone’s mind that the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg would never come to an end, Darren Fletcher scored to edge United towards an all-Manchester final at Wembley.

But back came the Black Cats, as Marcos Alonso netted his effort before Adnan Januzaj – United’s saving grace this season – saw his effort saved by Sunderland stopper Vito Mannone to leave things at one-apiece after three attempts each.

Quarter-final hero Ki Sung-Yeung then sent De Gea the wrong way to edge Sunderland ahead, before Phil Jones’ catastrophic attempt ballooned over the bar and nearly cleared the East Stand behind.

Adam Johnson had the chance to continue his run of form to send Sunderland to Wembley, but he couldn’t convert as De Gea gave his side a glimmer of hope with a good save to his left, but it was all in vain as United defender Rafael saw his shot parried clear by Mannone to give Gus Poyet’s side a 2-1 penalty shoot-out victory.

View the penalty shoot-out in pictures below:

Or watch the video of the shoot-out below:

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