Big Sam was as ecstatic as the rest of us after watching Seamus Coleman’s magnificent comeback display.
After nearly a year out with a horrific double leg break, most people would have expected Seamus Coleman to take some time to settle back into the Everton team on his return from injury.
Not a chance.
After no more than a cameo appearance for the Toffees’ under-23s side, Coleman was straight back into the starting line-up for Everton’s clash with Leicester on Wednesday night and he looked like he was never away.
90 minutes and a man of the match performance despite new signing Theo Walcott scoring two goals in a 2-1 win, Coleman’s display warmed the hearts of the adoring Goodison Park faithful and of the many Irish fans delighted to see him come through his return with flying colours.
Nobody was more impressed than his manager, Sam Allardyce, who was positively gushing in his praise of the Donegal man in the post-match interview.
“Now I have to mention the man that everybody loves here, which is Seamus Coleman,” Allardyce said.
🎥 | Sam Allardyce gives his verdict on tonight's "massive win" against @LCFC. #EFCmatchday pic.twitter.com/MwUM2V4dGk
— Everton (@Everton) January 31, 2018
“Not only what he did on the field today but the instant combination with Theo Walcott, which was a pleasure for them to see and for me to see today.
“And there was no intention of leaving him on for 90 minutes in our minds but when you saw him doing that 80-yard run at the end you went ‘wow’, out for 10 months, first game back?
“In the last two minutes of the game, he runs 80 yards with the ball, it’s a real shame that the pass just went astray, I think his legs were so tired at the end of it he could hardly kick it.
“Great performance overall and for me, particularly those two were outstanding today.”
Great to have you back, Seamus.
