Seamus Coleman was at the heart of almost everything as Everton pulled off a vital win over relegation rivals Leeds United.
He was involved in heated half-time and full-time rows with travelling players and staff and, of course, scored the sublime match-winning goal in between those flashpoints. He was not the only figure in Royal Blue who was pivotal to a win that holds huge significance though.
Nor was he the only one to show the fight that had been so desperately missing at Anfield on Monday, with every single Blues player getting involved in a scrap just before half-time after Dwight McNeil and Tyler Adams came together. In a match that was high on drama and intensity, here are a few moments that deserve more attention.
MATCH VERDICT: Seamus Coleman ends tunnel row, scores Everton stunner and proves Frank Lampard right
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Neal Maupay steps in to protect McNeil
This was a game that was always likely to feature fireworks and the players delivered late in the first half with a brawl that erupted in front of the away supporters. It started with Adams and McNeil hassling each other for the ball before things quickly escalated and saw players rushing to the scene to get involved. Only Leeds player Jack Harrison kept away from the initial proceedings, with both keepers charging into the trouble. Mobile phone footage of the chaos, which ended with two players from each side being booked, later offered more detail and showed a protective role being played by Neal Maupay. McNeil had ended up being pushed into the advertising boards and, as he fought to get back up, Maupay can be seen shielding him from the melee that then explodes around his teammate. He even shoves a Leeds player away as he encroaches on McNeil.
Coleman pulled away from trouble by peacemaker Abdoulaye Doucoure
That brawl left several players incensed and one interesting sight was that of Seamus Coleman arguing with someone as he went to head down the tunnel at the break. The club captain was involved in a heated exchange with what looked like a member of the Leeds staff. Coleman is a mature and respected figure across football but will stand up and argue his case when he feels is necessary - as we saw at half-time in the trip to Newcastle, when he was involved in similar scenes. This time it was Abdoulaye Doucure who turned peacemaker to diffuse the situation, pulling his club captain down the tunnel and away from trouble.
Ellis Simms' touch of class
Ellis Simms played a useful cameo for Everton against Leeds. Fresh from his start at Anfield, a game in which he struggled to impact after being left isolated for long periods, he entered the fray for Neal Maupay and spent the final 10 minutes hustling Leeds defenders, fighting for loose balls and being a nuisance as they attempted to build from the back as they hunted an equaliser. Simms' best moment came offensively, however. With the game entering its frantic final minutes. Simms played a lovely ball into the path of Doucoure, who was free on goal. Simms really should have ended the game with an assist but Doucoure checked back rather than shoot at Illan Meslier's goal when he was through, running into trouble as a result.
Everton's extra player?
Another hero amid the chaos was the Park End ball boy who helped Everton hold onto the win. He later received plaudits from players and fans after preventing Leeds from moving quickly when they sought to regain the ball for throw-ins and corners. His work allowed Everton to get organised as they fought to hold onto a valuable three points. At the end, his antics left Wilfried Gnonto incensed but earned him the thanks of both Jordan Pickford and James Tarkowski.
Coleman gets involved again
The ball boy was not the only person to end up flaring with Gnonto. Coleman, who ended the first half amid heated exchanges and then scored the sensational winner was at the centre of things again on the full-time whistle. As the game ended he was embroiled in what looked like another flashpoint with Gnonto - the dispute briefly delaying him from going to the supporters at the Gwladys Street end and celebrating the win with them. After the game, Sean Dyche praised the "edge" Coleman retained at this stage in his career. That "edge" was on show throughout this dramatic match.
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