Everton Jaga Peluang Eropa Lewat Gol Keberuntungan Merlin Rohl

Klub sepak bola Everton membuka peluang lolos ke kompetisi Eropa setelah tendangan Merlin Rohl yang berbelok arah memecah kebuntuan dalam pertandingan melawan Sunderland pada Sabtu, 16 Mei 2026.

"Crazy game, transitions and counters. We played the last minutes with our hearts and ambitions but we lost our balance and organisation and in the end this is a dangerous team on the counter attack. They break intentionally and stay with three or four players for counter attack. This is a moment we need to control but we didn't and we tried to score. The only thing that was a pity for the game in my opinion is that the game was decided by a decision and I don't agree with it." ujar Vitor Pereira, Manajer Nottingham Forest saat berbicara kepada BBC MOTD.

Pereira kemudian menyoroti perlunya kejelasan regulasi mengenai pelanggaran di dalam kotak penalti setelah melihat tayangan ulang di komputer tablet.

"I looked at the iPad to look at the image and I stayed very calm but in the end I think we need to have a meeting together to understand when it's handball, when it's a block, when it's a block in the box. At the moment we don't know what is possible or not and a lot of the time we don't understand the decisions. But I must accept it." kata Vitor Pereira, Manajer Nottingham Forest.

Pereira juga memberikan apresiasi terhadap karakter dan mentalitas yang ditunjukkan oleh anak asuhnya dalam menghadapi situasi sulit tersebut.

"Even if I want to keep them organised, they want to score and will try everything. Not in an organised way but in the end I'm proud of my players and supporters. We keep going with our work to try to win the next game." ucap Vitor Pereira, Manajer Nottingham Forest.

Ia menegaskan bahwa timnya memiliki kualitas mumpuni dan saat ini tidak sedang berada dalam ancaman pertempuran zona degradasi.

"This is a special group. They have character, quality and when they try everything to get points from this game we are in a position that we can do this. We are not in relegation battle. Today we wanted to win the game but in the end this result wasn't possible." tutur Vitor Pereira, Manajer Nottingham Forest.

Di sisi lain, pertandingan ini menjadi momen emosional bagi bek kanan Seamus Coleman yang akan mengakhiri 17 tahun masa baktinya bersama Everton.

“I arrived here as a 20-year-old boy from Sligo Rovers, just hoping to impress enough to even make one appearance for Everton," tulis Seamus Coleman, Pemain Everton dalam program hari pertandingan.

Coleman mencatatkan rekor penampilan terbanyak di Liga Premier untuk klub dan menyatakan ambisinya untuk membawa Everton melaju ke kompetisi Eropa.

“To go on and become captain and set a new club record for most Premier League appearances is something that back then was beyond my wildest dreams. “It has been a season of good progress and to still be in the mix for European qualification is a sign of that. Today will no doubt be an emotional one for me and my family. Everton will always be our football club. Together, let’s get it rocking for one last time this season and finish on a high.” pungkas Seamus Coleman, Pemain Everton.