Everton fans hail 'class act' Seamus Coleman after FA Cup win

Seamus Coleman has been hailed as 'a class act' by Everton fans after helping manage the club to a 2-0 win over Peterborough United as they booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Republic of Ireland captain and Leighton Baines stepped in as caretaker managers for the game after Sean Dyche was sacked just hours before kick-off.

Beto’s 42nd-minute strike, his third goal of the season coming in a third different competition, and Iliman Ndiaye’s late penalty saw a team picked by Dyche before his departure edge past the 19th-placed Sky Bet League One visitors.

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Seventeen-year-old academy graduate Harrison Armstrong, making only his sixth appearance, brilliantly threaded through a pass and with Jadel Katongo leaving it too late in stepping out Beto – linked with a move to Torino – had time and space to round goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic for a first goal since October.

Dyche’s sacking came after days of negotiation over his pay-off on a contract due to expire in the summer and when the details were eventually finalised hours before kick-off TFG pulled the trigger immediately.

Speaking after the game, Coleman said: "It was very late, it was very late for us both. We're both Evertonians. I think I was supposed to be on the bench tonight and it changed very quickly.

"I always say, whatever Everton need from me, I'm going to be there. Tonight, they needed me stand beside Leighton and help him. I was more than happy to do so and it was good for the lads to get a win as well.

"It's a bit surreal. I was playing and training yesterday and then I'm standing on the sideline with Bainesy. Credit to Leighton, he's more used to this side of things than me. How he planned, how he prepared. I was there to support him as best as I could. I really enjoyed it.

"The most important thing is the lads understand - whether the manager is gone or a new manager is coming in - that regardless, Everton Football Club means too much to too many people and our fans are important to us.

"We need to buy in and have a massive belief for the rest of the season. Because every game here is a game closer to it being the last and we've got to find that connection."

Fans took to social media to hail the Killybegs man and Baines following Thursday's match. One wrote: "Seamus

Coleman, class act as always."

Another said: "He's got @Everton FC running through his veins, hasn't he Seamus Coleman."

Someone else comment: "Seamus Coleman just embodies our club!"

One other post read: "Whatever happens going forward, Seamus Coleman has to be apart of the backroom staff. He adores us, the fans adore him and he’s made to be a future Everton manager."

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