football

MOTD pundits debunk claims that Seamus Coleman’s goal against Leeds was a fluke

Published 10:40 19 Feb 2023 GMT

Updated 10:45 19 Feb 2023 GMT

MOTD pundits debunk claims that Seamus Coleman’s goal against Leeds was a fluke

Home football

"He definitely meant it."

Match of the Day pundits debunked any suggestion that Seamus Coleman's goal against Leeds United was a fluke. The Everton captain scored a stunning strike at Elland Road on Saturday in a potentially priceless 1-0 win over their relegation rivals. The Republic of Ireland full-back chased a pass over the top from Alex Iwobi down the right-hand side of the pitch and reached it just before it bounced at the end line. Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier was off his line, anticipating a cross into the box, but Coleman struck the ball and it flew into the net.

Seamus Coleman on his wonder goal for Everton against Leeds.

On Sky Sports and BBC Sport, some pundits suggested that the goal may have been a fluke. Tim Sherwood, speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, said, "I think it has to be a cross, I think it has to be a cross because he has never done it before." While on BBC, Glenn Murray questioned if the Irishman meant to score the goal. Coleman, speaking to the BBC after the game, disputed any suggestions that he did not mean to score from the acute angle. "It was a great ball by Alex and he played me into the final third area," the Everton captain said. "I thought the keeper would anticipate coming off his line a yard or two. "I just tried to connect well with it and I could hit that 20 or 30 more times and it wouldn’t connect as well. But thankfully it went in."

Coleman was asked if he noticed the keeper’s position. "Not many people will believe me because I’m a full-back," he said. "But I did anticipate that he would yard or two out. "Hopefully, the video footage will show that I had a quick glance and I just tried to hit the target and thankfully it went in."

Match of the Day pundits say Coleman goal wasn't a fluke.

On Match of the Day later on Saturday night, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards all disputed any suggestions that Coleman did not mean to score the goal. "We believe you, Seamus!" Lineker said. "They had to rely on the full-back and what a strike," Shearer said before Lineker asked if Coleman meant to score the goal. "Yeah, but there’s no one in there. He has a little look, he does have a little look across just there, he thinks there’s no one in there, and the way he hits it. "That tells you that he’s actually going for that, with the front of his boot. "No one crosses it like that, do they?" Lineker said. "And there’s no one in there to cross to, but yeah I think it’s a wonderful strike and a big win for Everton," Shearer said. Finally, Richards offered his thoughts and said Coleman "definitely meant it", before confirming that he never scored a goal like it. Everton's win lifted them up to 16th place and one point above the relegation zone.