Credit: Imago

Declan Carr

Sun 17 May 2026 13:47, UK

David Moyes has left Seamus Coleman on the bench for Everton‘s clash with Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

The Irish defender announced that he will leave after 17 years on Merseyside, when his contract expires at the end of the season.

The contest with Regis Le Bris’ side on 17 May is his last chance to say goodbye to the home supporters who have adored him since he joined from Sligo Rovers for just £60,000.

The Toffees have lost just four of their last 26 matches against the Black Cats, and the visitors have lost their final away league match in six of the last nine seasons.

Everton have plenty of reasons to be positive ahead of the clash, and Moyes’ decision not to give Coleman a dream farewell is a huge shame and shows that he is absolutely ruthless.

What is Everton’s starting line-up for Sunderland clash

There is no room for Coleman in his final home game for Everton, he will start from the bench.

Jordan Pickford continues for Everton between the sticks, with a back four of Jake O’Brien, James Tarkowski, Michael Keane and Vitalii Mykolenko in front of him.

James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam retain their places at the base of midfield with Kieran Dewsbury-Hall in a more advanced role.

Merlin Rohl and Iliman Ndiaye continue on the flanks, with Beto leading the line once more in an unchanged line-up.

The fact that Moyes has stuck with the same line-up is disappointing for several reasons, but mostly because Coleman is restricted to an appearance from the bench.

Why is it a ruthless call?

Coleman has been a rare sight on the pitch for the Blues, playing just 12 minutes of top-flight action this season.

Moyes’ stance makes sense given his recent injury history, but surely the Irishman would have been desperate to start.

He could have afforded him a start, and then taken him off at a pre-determined time, to get a standing ovation from the support.

Obviously, that would still happen if he came off the bench, but given that it is his final home game, he should have been named in the line-up from the off.

The game against Tottenham, on the last day of the season, does not give him the chance to say goodbye properly, as it away from home, so there won’t be many Blues fans in attendance.

Of course, the Toffees can still qualify for Europe, if results go their way, but there is room for sentiment on this occasion.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.