da gbg bet： Sean Dyche defended Amadou Onana after his weak penalty led to Everton's heartbreaking shootout defeat to Fulham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.

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Everton crashed out of Carabao CupOnana & Idrissa Gueye missed from the spot in shootoutDyche defended the duo after failed spot-kicksWHAT HAPPENED?

The Toffees suffered a heart-wrenching exit from the cup competition after losing in a dramatic penalty shootout against Fulham. Onana's shockingly weak effort was saved by Fulham's Bernd Leno, leading to Everton's fourth penalty shootout defeat in six years. Idrissa Gueye hit the post in sudden death before Tosin Adarabioyo's successful penalty propelled Fulham into their first League Cup semi-final with a 7-6 victory after the two teams were locked at 1-1 after regulation time.

Onana has been criticised for his approach to taking the penalty, but Dyche defended him and instead hailed his courage to step up and take responsibility in a crunch moment.

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Talking to reporters, Dyche said: "Everyone has a style of penalty which they think can score. His record has been very strong in all the rounds and when we’ve practised them. That’s his style. If you are brave enough to get up there and take one then you have to be brave enough for the consequences.

"The first question is always who doesn’t want to take one. Simple as that because you need to want to take one. I’m pleased to say the whole group said they would take one. It is the moment of truth: the ball’s there, you have to put it in the net.”

GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Dyche believes that his Everton players deserve a pat on their backs for their performance despite bowing out of the tournament. "I thought the performance was another strong one," he said. "We didn't find the true quality in the end of lots of good moves, we got into some really good positions but I'm not going to question that, lately we've been very good at that. The general performance was very strong again, having to change the style and move people. Jarrad [Branthwaite] was excellent playing at left-back, Jimmy Garner was tremendous higher up the pitch.

"There were still some very strong signs of what we're doing. Unfortunately, it doesn't pay you back tonight but it will do over the rest of the season as long as we stick with the principles and keep delivering performances like that."

DID YOU KNOW?

Everton were knocked out of the Carabao Cup in a penalty shootout for the fourth time in six years. The Toffees have never won the competition, but did finish as runners-up in both 1977 and 1984.