Everton lost their final Premier League game of 2025/26 at Hill Dickinson Stadium to Sunderland – and there were disappointing scenes for Seamus Coleman at the end.
The Black Cats came from 1-0 down to blow Everton away, and all but end the Toffees’ hopes of playing in Europe next season.
Everton took the lead through Merlin Rohl. But as we have constantly seen this season, the team failed to push on and create a bigger lead.
Let us know your message to Seamus as he calls it a day as an Everton player… 🥲
Pressure was invited, and mistakes were made.
Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee and Wilson Isidor all scored and as the full-time whistle was blown, boos rang out at Hill Dickinson Stadium.
From those that stayed, because plenty had already taken their leave.
And that led to some pretty disappointing scenes for Seamus Coleman, who was making his final home appearance.
Seamus Coleman deserved a better send off
It was announced on Friday that Coleman is leaving the club as a player at the end of the season. He may yet return in a coaching capacity, but Coleman will definitely not make any more appearances as a Toffees player after this campaign.
Unfortunately, Coleman’s final home game could and should have been a lot better than it was.
He was substituted on by David Moyes to replace Jake O’Brien. The fans gave him a great ovation, but arguably this change should have been made sooner in the game.
Sunderland were in the ascendancy, and Coleman unfortunately didn’t cover himself in glory for the final goal. Although neither did several others.
There were boos when the game ended for the collective performance, and many fans had already left the ground in anger.
Where does Seamus Coleman rank for you among Everton’s legends? 👑
60 grand, 60 grand, Seamus Coleman 🎶
Then it was time for Coleman’s farewell. It should have been a full stadium, but sadly most had gone as he walked out to a guard of honour with his family before going around the pitch.
The lack of bodies in the stands was down to a combination of fans leaving in anger, with some forgetting about Coleman, and Everton also not communicating what would be happening.
Some have suggested the club had little time to sort something out. But given there’s long been a chance Coleman could move on, there should have been something grand in the pipeline for the eventuality.
It is also perplexing that, seemingly, there was no thought to do anything for him before the game.
Everton need to honour Coleman properly
Everyone knows that Coleman is not a player for the limelight and is very humble.
But the club need to act here, because he deserved much better than what followed after the full-time whistle against Sunderland.
Everton should be offering to organise some kind of testimonial or ceremonial game, to take place as soon as possible, or as one of their pre-season matches.
Some have already suggested Sligo Rovers being the opponent, which would be fitting.
Coleman, of course, could well decline this, given he is not one for fuss.
But it feels like Everton dropped the ball with his farewell, or lack thereof, on Sunday.
For a player who gave an incredible 17 years of service to the club, what he got on Sunday was way short of what he truly deserved and there needs to be atonement.
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