Merseyside derby wins are a Premier League rarity for those of an Evertonian persuasion.
The 1990s saw the blue side of the city boast the stronger derby record, as Joe Royle’s side edged the early days.
However, the turn of the century, and the ripening of Gerard Houllier’s team changed things, as Liverpool ruthlessly took derby control in the following two decades.
Everton wins became dates marked in memory, with Kevin Campbell’s goal in 1999 their only away derby win until a 2-0 victory at an empty Anfield in 2021.
Whilst the Anfield barrier was broken two years ago, the Goodison block is unmoved since 2010, with nine draws from 12.
That lack of success on home soil adds more weight to the 2010 win, which otherwise would have been marked down as a positive result, against an unremarkable Liverpool team.
The date of 17 October, 2010 remains in the minds of Evertonians for many reasons, but potentially not for one notable storyline - it was Seamus Coleman’s derby debut.
A lack of focus on that win being Coleman’s first exposure to a derby is symbolic of what we have come to associate the Donegal man with, as he leads Everton across Stanley Park for a 20th derby appearance on Monday night.
Modest and focused excellence, with a bite and drive to ensure Everton are successful. That win was a slideshow of early Coleman at Everton, as his driving run punctured the Liverpool defence to set up Tim Cahill for the opener, before dropping in to seal Everton’s first derby clean sheet in four years.
That triggered seven consecutive Premier League derby starts, as Moyes put his faith in Coleman over Tony Hibbert, and the new man at right-back repaid him.
Moyes’ departure to Manchester United in 2013 put Coleman at a crossroads, with speculation over him and Leighton Baines joining their old boss at Old Trafford.
However, the rumours were short lived, and Coleman’s stance remained loyal towards Everton.
Despite the possible distraction, Coleman produced his best Everton season, following Roberto Martinez’s arrival, adding in goals and dynamism, to secure a spot in the PFA Premier League Team of the Season, as the '60 grand’ chant rang out louder than ever at Goodison.
Coleman became a hybrid of Moyes and Martinez’s ideas as one of the Premier League’s top full-backs.
However, following Martinez’s 2016 exit, Everton slipped into freefall, with seven managers in seven years, the latest arriving last month as Sean Dyche replaced Frank Lampard.
On the back of starring for Ireland at Euro 2016, Coleman was a victim of Ronald Koeman’s erratic spell at the club, before his career was brutally paused in Dublin in 2017.
Ireland’s new captain suffered a horrific leg break following Neil Taylor’s shocking challenge in a 2018 World Cup qualifier - which is etched in the minds of Ireland fans at the Aviva Stadium that night - as Coleman was eventually ruled out for 10 months.
His return in January 2018 has almost created two chapters in his career, of pre and post injury.
Turning 29 during his rehabilitation, and the physical and mental toll of a serious injury doubtless impacted on his immediate comeback, as Everton battled for Premier League survival under Sam Allardyce.
Everton maintained their Premier League status, but continued their scattergun approach with managers, by appointing the stateman-like Carlo Ancelotti, followed by the ill-advised Rafa Benitez.
Bizarrely, as he approaches the end of his career, the arrival of Dyche is the most reflective of Coleman’s values, since Moyes and Martinez.
In differing ways, Coleman and Dyche have suffered from misconception in Premier League circles.
Cliches have followed Coleman’s career for over a decade - 'solid pro’, ‘one club man’ etc - all true, but they paint a misconstrued picture of what is required to be an elite Premier League player.
Ancelotti and Lampard were unstinting in their praise of Coleman, acknowledging how his value stretches beyond the walls of Goodison and Finch Farm, with a hint at his potential as a future manager.
This pointed acclaim is not for show, it underlines the idea that consistency does not equal mediocrity, in the eyes of those who know what is takes at the top.
Battling clubs attract yo-yo players, who perform at a Premier League level for three to four seasons at best, making the notion of Coleman doing it for 13 consecutive seasons being a sign of club malaise, simply wrong.
Premier League clubs do not retain and renew players that drop their standards, and Everton have never viewed Coleman as excess baggage, with a conveyor belt of coaches realising that.
The nuts and bolts of Coleman’s game have been tweaked in recent seasons, as the lung-busting overlaps are more selective, and the defensive resilience of Moyes kicks in.
Last weekend’s win over Arsenal demonstrates perfectly his enduring quality, with Dyche in no doubt over starting him against the speed and trickery of Gabriel Martinelli, safe in the knowledge of the core aspects being as sharp as ever.
The growing need for instant gratification in the mindset of Premier League fans, Everton included, has played its part in the revisionism of Coleman at the highest level.
But the facts remain as they are, and that will ultimately define Coleman’s legacy, as he makes a call on the next step.
Lampard was clear in his desire for Coleman to stay beyond this summer and Dyche will likely follow suit.
However, even in Dyche’s straightforward style, he knows Coleman has earned the right to choose, and the chance to lead Ireland’s Euro 2024 campaign push could coax another campaign from him.
If he does extend into 2023/24, he will outstrip Baines and Leon Osman’s 13 Premier League season tally and overtake Tim Howard as Everton top Premier League appearance maker. Provided the Toffees don't come unstuck in the relegation battle.
Top spot in those races will draw a bolder line under Coleman’s incredible Everton career and 60 grand was never spent so wisely.
