The champagne bottle from Seamus Coleman’s man-of-the-match display in his first appearance at Goodison Park remains unopened. The Everton club captain, set to enter his 16th year in a legendary career with the Blues, earned huge plaudits on his first night at the Grand Old Lady – coming off the bench and leading a late fightback against Tottenham Hotspur.
Then aged just 21, he played a role in both goals as the Blues came from two goals down to snatch a point through Louis Saha and Tim Cahill.
That December night in 2009 has grown in poignancy as Coleman’s career has lengthened.
Reflecting on his first home appearance, Coleman believed his Everton career was already on the line despite having only made the move from Sligo Rovers for the now famed £60,000 less than a year earlier.
That fear followed his debut two months earlier, when he was played out of position in the 5-0 loss at Benfica in the Europa League. Coleman started as left-back against a side that included the likes of Angel di Maria, Javier Saviola and Pablo Aimar.
Recalling that night in Portugal, Coleman said: “It was an unbelievable experience. Six months over from Ireland and making my debut in the Europa League against Benfica, away, with so many top class players. I played left-back – I don’t think I had ever played left-back, so thanks for that Moyesy (David Moyes).
“It didn’t go too well but it was an unbelievable experience to go from where I was to that in six months, it was an eye opener. To survive in my job as long as you can there are probably more setbacks and knocks than good times. I was low and sad on the flight on the way back, I probably thought that was my opportunity done and dusted.
