Seamus Coleman has revealed what was going through his mind as he rallied Everton fans from his stretcher at Leicester City.
The club captain was left in agony after being grounded by a clumsy challenge from Boubakary Soumare in the first half at the King Power Stadium in May. The incident left him with a knee injury that ended his season - something he knew as he was being carried off the pitch.
Despite the pain, he turned to the away end as he left the pitch and pumped his fist, sparking a reaction from the travelling Blues. Everton went on to earn a valuable point that helped the club survive relegation at the expense of Leicester.
The injury came amid a run of key games that would decide the club's fate and with Sean Dyche having to manage a threadbare squad. Knowing what was at stake only made things worse for the 34-year-old. Recalling the moment he knew his campaign was over, Coleman said: “It was extremely tough with the timing. I had just come back for that Leicester game after a small injury I picked up at [Manchester] United and to get back and to get injured so quickly, and because of the bigger picture of the games that were coming, it was hard to take.”
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Coleman’s role on the pitch may have come to an end but he was once again a significant influence for players and fans. That started as he was carried off. He said: “The support means everything to me. I was in quite a lot of pain. I knew coming off the pitch that night that that probably was the end of my season. I thought: ‘What else could I do? [Was there] one last thing to keep us going or keep the crowd going?’ I lifted my fist because I know them [the fans] and they know me. I knew I would get a reaction from it and I knew the lads would get a reaction from it and thankfully we ended up getting a point that night.”
Alex Iwobi’s second=half equaliser earned a vital 2-2 draw from a dramatic game, during which Jordan Pickford saved a penalty from James Maddison.
After 14 years at Everton, Coleman is a key bridge between the supporters and the dressing room and that remained clear through his latest stint on the sidelines. Coleman’s name was often chanted from the stands while he watched the final games from the dugout.
That bond was also a crucial factor in the defender’s decision to commit to a further 12 months at Goodison Park. His move to accept the club’s offer of a new contract was a significant boost for Dyche, who values Coleman’s influence. The Republic of Ireland international told the club website: “The fans’ support for me has always been incredible and I really appreciate it. I live in the city, I see them all the time and they have always been great with me. I say this to all the players - I think that is because all they ever expect from someone is to give your all and to show respect for what you do and to the football club and they will welcome you with open arms.”
