Everton FC correspondent Joe Thomas looks at some of the moments beyond the headlines from a comeback win over Crystal Palace that was inspired by club captain Seamus Coleman
Seamus Coleman was instrumental in the comeback that earned Everton a first Premier League win of the season. The club captain may be unable to make an impression on the pitch due to his calf injury but he captured his team-mates’ attention with a rousing speech in the dressing room at half-time.
Everton’s players had gone down the tunnel trailing Crystal Palace and were faced with the prospect of the club’s winless start stretching to six matches. But two goals from Dwight McNeil in the nine minutes that followed the interval swung the game in the Blues’ favour.
After the match, Sean Dyche said the half-time debrief focused on emotions rather than tactics. Ashley Young provided further context on Instagram when he wrote of Coleman’s intervention: “Massive 3pts. It has been coming, we’ve been unlucky but our togetherness is too strong to not change that luck at some point. Maybe it was the Skip’s speech at half-time, I think the whole stadium heard him.”
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And here are the other moments you might have missed at Goodison Park…
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Match winner McNeil pays tunnel tribute to club captain
Coleman’s role was acknowledged after the match by McNeil. After conducting an interview with members of the written media in which the two-goal hero had spoken glowingly about his admiration for his captain, McNeil was greeted by his skipper, who had just left the home dressing room.
Clearly still delighted after the victory, the two enjoyed a warm embrace, with Coleman once again congratulating his team-mate on his brace.
And, just moments before that, as Young made his way out, he was also quick to remind his team-mate about the role he played in his side’s opener. For context, it was the former England international who played a short pass to McNeil before he let fly past Dean Henderson in the Palace goal.
Branthwaite steps back into leadership role
Jarrad Branthwaite’s return to the starting line-up created a buzz around Goodison in the build up to the match and the centre-back quickly stepped into the leadership role he grew into during his remarkable season last year.
As the Blues sputtered through a difficult first half the 22-year-old expressed his frustration after receiving one too many passes from the midfielders in front of him. As one passage of play saw him repeatedly given the ball he could be seen waving both arms and demanding those in front of him turn around so they could focus on pushing the team forward.
It was a reminder of the authority he possesses and is willing to showcase to his Everton team-mates. His example is one that should be an inspiration to those around him including new centre-back Jake O’Brien and teenage starlet Harrison Armstrong, the two players he combined with in passing drills during the warm-up.
Summer signing making friends in stands
While the players involved on Saturday were preparing to step out onto the pitch, one star who has not yet seen any action is Armando Broja. The forward remains out injured but his deadline day arrival on loan from Chelsea marked the end of a years-long pursuit of the forward.
While his switch is temporary, the option to buy included within the agreement means Everton will decide whether it becomes permanent.
That will come down to his performances but as he waits for that opportunity he is already endearing himself to Blues supporters and once again proved happy to pose for pictures with supporters as he made his way to a seat in the directors box.
Palace supporters’ cheeky sign holds a secret surprise
The away section made plenty of noise at Goodison as the Palace supporters were once again a credit to their club. Within their numbers was one supporter who had brought a cheeky message to the ground – a sign claiming that “Everton mints make yer fart”.
While that was met with plenty of good humour, the real treat was hidden in the small print – which read: “Thank you for the football Goodison Park.”
This was Palace’s final visit to the famous old stadium – unless the FA Cup matches the teams for a third time in four years.
