Sunderland suffered an unexpected FA Cup exit at the hands of Port Vale on Sunday afternoon

Alan Shearer has labelled Sunderland’s FA Cup exit “embarrassing” following their 1-0 defeat at the hands of League One outfit Port Vale on Sunday afternoon.

The Black Cats struggled to find any kind of rhythm on a difficult playing surface at Vale Park, and were ultimately the victims of an unexpected upset when Ben Waine scored the winning goal for a side 57 places beneath them in the English footballing pyramid.

For his part, Waine is a self-confessed fan of Sunderland’s bitter rivals, Newcastle United, and marked his strike by mimicking Shearer’s famous one-handed goal celebration - a nod that the ex-Magpies legend himself was quick to acknowledge.

What did Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer say about Sunderland’s FA Cup defeat vs Port Vale?

Speaking on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football, host Lineker said: “Well, well, Port Vale. Incredible. Seventy-odd years since they reached this stage of the competition, didn't really see that one coming against Sunderland. You've got a little smile on your face, Alan.”

Shearer responded: “Ah, no. I mean, we couldn't have Sunderland going further than Newcastle... Yeah, it was... I mean, even just looking at the pitch, we said earlier, didn't we, about the pitches at that level. They're bottom of League One. So, yeah, brilliant for them. They put on a show, they reacted to the atmosphere, and I thought they were worthy winners, to be honest.”

Lineker agreed, stating: “I thought they did remarkably well, considering their position. Obviously, they only just got past Bristol City because they had a waterlogged pitch and it was delayed until this week. Ben Waine scored in that one and then did it again, and his celebration, Alan, did you notice?”

“I saw that, yes...”, Shearer said. “My phone started flashing up, yeah, and then I thought, ‘Well, I'll tune in and watch it’, and I watched it all after that, and then commented on it afterwards and watched his interview. I heard his interview and he said, ‘Well, I never really saw him live because I was a bit too young’, I'm thinking, ‘Oh, ******* ****!’.

“Anyway, yeah, but I'm really pleased for him, it was really good. Great for Port Vale, and, I mean, what a time to be a fan there, I know they're bottom of the league, but to have a quarter-final and the chance of one of the big boys, and financially for the club, would be huge.”

The Echo has launched a new WhatsApp SAFC Channel to bring the latest news, analysis and team & injury updates direct to your phone. Simply click this link to join our SAFC WhatsApp channel.

Lineker continued: “Massively important, yeah, he did the Shearer celebration, he's a Newcastle fan as well, obviously, and to get one over on Sunderland, it would have meant a lot to him.”

Shearer replied: “Absolutely, yeah, I wonder how long he'd been planning that one. Good for him, I’m pleased for him”, to which Lineker retorted: “You'd have been an optimist to think you were going to score the winning goal in that game when you were against Sunderland, but he really managed to do it. And, yeah, they defended really well as well, I thought.”

The Newcastle icon then concluded: “Yeah, they did, the pitch made it difficult, but they have to play on that every week, but if you're a Premier League player, you're expected to go there and play and handle it and do whatever, but Sunderland didn't, and they got dumped out of the cup, and a bit embarrassing for them, but magnificent for Port Vale.”

Your next Sunderland read: ‘I’m proud’ - Sunderland loanee Trey Ogunsuyi reacts after first senior goals and Shrewsbury Town upturn