BY HARRY WALSH
SEAMUS Coleman scored his fourth goal of this year’s campaign as Everton beat Swansea City 2-1 yesterday afternoon to move back into the top four in the Premier League.
Coleman’s piledriver broke the Liberty deadlock and while Swanea forced home an equalising goal Ross Barkley was on hand to fire home a superb late winner from a free kick.
The win extends Everton’s undefeated streak to 10 games and, more importantly, moves them back into fourth and a Champions League spot.
Ian Holloway, who gave Coleman his first serious run in English football, when he took him on loan from Everton in Blackpool’s successful promotion to the Premier League in 2010 believes he is good enough to play for one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Holloway failed in his attempts to keep Coleman at the club, but he’s watched in admiration as the 25-year-old reached 120 appearances for the Toffees last week.
Many have tipped the Killybegs defender to join former boss David Moyes at Old Trafford – but Holloway believes Goodison Park is the perfect place for him to reach his peak.
“I think he’s got every potential to play for some of the biggest clubs in Europe, but I believe Everton will go there,” he said.
“With Roberto Martinez in charge, I think he’s exactly what he needs.
“He’ll love how the manager plays the game, he’ll learn from him and he’s only getting better and better.
“There’s not many better full-backs in any other country.”
Coleman played 90 minutes of every game he was available to play under Holloway – and the former Crystal Palace boss admits he’s not surprised at all by how his career has progressed.
“He’s never looked back, and that’s very rare,” he said. “When someone gets in a team and does so well, and keeps progressing, there’s normally a dip somewhere, where they go backwards. He just hasn’t had that.
“Is that just ability? I don’t think so. It’s him as a person too.
“You need all the details; hard-working, a good upbringing; he’s got all that and a bit more.
“I’ve seen it in lots of players in my career, but his spirit was infectious and he never once moaned. He appreciates life. Some of the players are spoiled, but he just wants to win. He’s one of the best players you could hope to get.”
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