This was not the Everton farewell that Seamus Coleman wanted – or deserved

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Of Coleman’s farewell being temporarily overshadowed by a defeat that all but ends their hopes of qualifying for Europe, and an error from the Irishman for Wilson Isidor’s third goal near the end. Boos rang around a half-empty Hill Dickinson Stadium at full time. Fans were asked to stay in their seats for the squad’s lap of honour, and for a tribute to the departing Coleman, who leaves the club when his contract expires at the end of the season. But most had seen enough and headed to the exits. You could not blame them, but there was sadness in the way it all panned out. This was another afternoon where Everton’s individual and collective failings were laid bare. The festival-like atmosphere ahead of the match — Everton’s final one at home this season — soon dissipated when David Moyes’ side stumbled out of the traps and ceded the initiative to Sunderland. Everton were passive and error-strewn, with the visitors having 70 per cent possession in the opening quarter and 74 per cent in the period immediately after the break, with Moyes’ side 1-0 ahead. They sat off Sunderland, showing them too much respect, and allowed Granit Xhaka in particular to dictate. It was a strangely insipid game with so much still on the line, and fellow European hopefuls Brentford dropping points elsewhere. And no way, either, to harness the Hill Dickinson Stadium crowd. Everton have been at their best at home this season when they have played an aggressive, in-your-face style and fed off the energy from the stands. Supporters, for their part, when they have seen their side at least try to assume the initiative. But that symbiotic relationship falls apart when the team do not hold up their end of the bargain. “It was a big moment for us and we weren’t able to take it,” Moyes conceded. One question for Everton this summer will be whether they can replace what Coleman has brought behind the scenes as captain, and finally find his long-term successor after more than half a decade of trying. Because once again, they struggled in both full-back positions. The failure to sign an adequate right-back last summer, or put faith in one of Coleman or Nathan Patterson, has created an imbalance in the side that Moyes and his players have struggled to overcome. Moyes values Jake O’Brien’s height and athleticism at right-back, but those qualities would be better served in the Irishman’s favoured central position. On the right, there are times when 6ft 6in O’Brien can look out of place; the squarest of pegs in a round hole. O’Brien’s error — a careless sideways pass seized on by Enzo Le Fee — led to Brian Brobbey’s equaliser. He shanked one cross straight out of play, saw others comfortably cleared, and was booked early in the second half for pulling down Sunderland winger Nilson Angulo. It appeared as though his race was run around the hour mark, when he stayed down after chasing a long ball and Coleman was on the sidelines ready to come on. But when prompted by Everton assistant manager Billy McKinlay, he signalled that he was fine to continue. The error for Brobbey’s equaliser came soon after, with Moyes describing the goal as “terrible”. The Everton manager said in his post-match press conference that O’Brien had sustained the injury in a first-half challenge, but the bench had decided against a change after checking with the player. He added that they had wanted to retain the former Lyon defender’s height in the second half, with Sunderland having a succession of corners. In the end, they were exposed in other areas. Two of Sunderland’s goals came down Everton’s left, with substitute Habib Diarra drifting into space. Coleman had a chance to clear the third but fatally left the low ball across the middle. It was a cruel way to bow out, but that moment and the game as a whole typified Everton’s shortcomings at full-back. A new right-back will be near the top of their agenda this summer. Left-back cover, or someone who could even displace current first choice Vitalii Mykolenko, may also be sought, with Adam Aznou still not deemed ready for regular Premier League action. With Jarrad Branthwaite injured and O’Brien used elsewhere, the cumbersome partnership of James Tarkowski and Michael Keane was also exposed. They may have their individual qualities but, when paired together, they tend to amplify each other’s flaws. The over-reliance on attacking duo Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye has also come home to roost, with the two struggling to match their early-season form during this barren run. Ndiaye, in particular, has missed golden chances in recent weeks and looked a shadow of his early-season self. “Those players were so good for us in the early part of the season,” Moyes said. We’ve just ran out of goals with Ili and Kiernan. Ili especially has had big opportunities that we’ve seen him score in the past. They’ve both just dried up in the last month or so.” Summer recruitment should help address issues of balance. But attention must also be paid to the side’s worrying recent fragility. Everton have made a habit of drifting towards conservatism and surrendered leads in games where they have been ahead. It has held them back when it really mattered and needs to be resolved by Moyes and his team if they are to take the next step. Finding solutions there, though, may prove more challenging even than unearthing Coleman’s successor at right-back. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms