When Norwich City keeper John Ruddy palmed a Nikica Jelavic effort across the six-yard box, it took a moment to realise who had driven the ball home to put Everton 2-1 up at Carrow Road.
But as he wheeled away in celebration, Seamus Coleman had justified his manager’s instincts to push him higher up the pitch from his right-back berth.
Unfortunately Everton couldn’t hold on to the advantage Coleman’s goal had given them, with Ricky Van Wolfswinkel nodding in a late leveller.
But the result was a solid start for the Blues and for Coleman, it’s satisfying to see his name on the score-sheet.
“The gaffer told me after the first half to get a bit more forward in the second,” he explained. “I think the keeper made a save and thankfully it broke to me. I just made sure I kept my head down and ensured it went in.
“I am delighted to score because it has been a while.”
While the Toffees had to settle for a point on Roberto Martinez’s first competitive outing as Blues boss, the players are delighted to be back in Premier League action.
“Everyone was glad to get going,” added Coleman. “It has been a long pre-season. We knew it was going to be a tough game and I think it showed out there with the result. It was a good game.
“It is always hard to take conceding a late goal. But first game of the season, away from home, a point wasn’t a bad result.”