Coleman: Corkman coming in out of the cold was 'brilliant' for Everton

Seamus Coleman thought he was going to be on the bench for Everton's FA Cup clash with Peterborough but just hours beforehand discovered he would taking charge of the team along with Leighton Baines. 

Everton caretaker managers Leighton Baines (left) and Seamus Coleman before the FA Cup third round match against Peterborough at Goodison Park. Picture: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Seamus Coleman said it felt "surreal" for him and Leighton Baines to take charge of Everton for Thursday night's FA Cup victory over Peterborough. Just hours earlier, Sean Dyche was sacked as manager with club captain Coleman and U18 manager Baines taking over on an interim basis.

Beto gave Everton a first half lead while Iliman Ndiaye converted a late penalty to seal a 2-0 win. 

"It was very late for us both," Coleman said about how he and Baines found out about their temporary roles.

"We're both Evertonians and I think I was supposed to be on the bench tonight, but it changed quickly. But I always say, whatever Everton need from me, I'm going to be there. Tonight, they needed me to stand beside Leighton and help him and I was more than happy to do so.

"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 had a short period of time and he's obviously more used to this side of things than me. How he planned, how he prepared. I was there to support him as best I could and really enjoyed it. 

"The most important thing is that 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 between now and the end of the season, because every game here is a game closer to it being the last and we've got to find that connection."

Everton lined out with three at the back, including Cork's Jake O'Brien making his first start in four months, and just his fifth appearance of the season overall. The 23-year-old left Lyon, where his career was flourishing, to join Everton during the summer but has struggled for game time since. 

"Professional performance, it took us 5-10 minutes to get into it and the centre-halves to go in tight with their forward players," said Coleman.

"But as the game grew, I thought the back three really helped. I thought Jake coming in, not because he's Irish, but coming in out of the cold and putting in a performance like that, I thought he was brilliant. It was easy for him.

"The most pleasing thing for me and Leighton was that the effort was there. Of course, it could have been better, but they're always tricky ties and they were good in possession as well."