Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media

James Barker

Mon 18 May 2026 10:40, UK

Everton should be embarrassed at the send-off Seamus Coleman received in Sunday’s loss to Sunderland.

15-years of superb service to Everton, celebrated by a half-empty Hill Dickinson Stadium.

Sunday was supposed to be so much more than what it turned out to be, as David Moyes‘ side suffered a damaging defeat to Sunderland.

As such, their chances of qualifying for European football for 2026-27 are now all but over, as is Coleman’s time as a Toffee.

Indeed, Sunderland was the Irishman’s final Everton home game, but the way it was handled from start to finish was something that the Toffees should always regret.

How Everton let Seamus Coleman down against Sunderland

Everton confirmed Coleman’s exit on Friday, two days before their home clash with the Black Cats.

Knowledge of this decision is sure to have been present for longer than that, and so club chiefs had time to plan a fitting final home game itinerary for the defender.

However, the way it was all handled suggested that little thought or foresight went into Coleman’s send-off.

Being substituted on with just two minutes to play, he entered the pitch with many Everton fans having already left, and those that did stay didn’t get much of an opportunity to see him in action one final time on Merseyside.

His post-match guard of honour was a nice touch in isolation, but again, Hill Dickinson Stadium was perhaps only at half capacity at best as this was going on, leaving Coleman applauding as many empty seats as supporters.

Why this guard of honour or something similar wasn’t done just prior to kick-off, especially given the fact he wasn’t starting, makes very little sense.

Surely those in charge of putting his tribute together must’ve known that many fans would’ve left by and after full-time had their team lost, and of course, that’s exactly what happened.

How brilliant and fitting would it have been had Coleman and his family walked out onto the Hill Dickinson turf with a full house awaiting them?

Coleman deserves to start against Tottenham

It was an embarrassing day all-round for Everton on Sunday, but especially in regard to Coleman.

A two-minute cameo in the dying minutes of the game as well as only half of Hill Dickinson Stadium being there to pay their tributes to him was no way to honour his 15 years of service.

Starting him against Tottenham wouldn’t make up for Sunderland, but it would at least offer him the chance to play some final, extended minutes in an Everton shirt.

Barring a miracle, European qualification is now gone anyway, so why not put him in from the start for one final Toffees outing?

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