 John Terry played his final game for Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
The Chelsea captain made a quiet exit, not wanting to draw any attention to himself.
Only joking, he concocted a plan to get subbed off after 26 minutes, (a nod to his squad number), and received a guard of honour on the side of the pitch from his teammates.
Terry hugged almost every Chelsea player, as well as his opponents and the Chelsea staff, as the Stamford Bridge crowd saluted him. The scene didn’t sit well with BBC pundit Garth Crooks.
"This isn't Hollywood – it's a Premier League fixture!"
Not everyone is impressed with Chelsea's send-off for John Terry. #bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/VTgpQbLUxt
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 21, 2017
After 717 appearances for the Chelsea, and 22 years at the club, Terry has probably earned the right to bow out on his own terms. After all, he has been one of the best defenders to play in the Premier League.
Garth Crooks wasn't happy https://t.co/rPCCkc9TV5
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) May 21, 2017
However, there’s no denying that the sight of a mid-game guard of honour was somewhat peculiar. It was clearly planned, and Terry admitted as much following the game.
Whatever you make of Terry’s elaborate exit, the role of Sunderland and David Moyes in the incident is a bit embarrassing.
The Black Cats were playing their final Premier League game of the season, with relegation confirmed weeks ago. Their 10 year spell in the top flight ended dismally and few expect them to bounce straight back.
Sunderland have been awful this season, giving their fans little to cheer. While Moyes has been extremely negative, downplaying the quality of his side and their chances of survival since he succeeded Sam Allardyce last summer.
Moyes’ meekness continued on Sunday, when he admitted following the game that he played a key role in Terry’s elaborate exit.
The former Everton manager admitted he agreed to help give the Chelsea captain his chance to leave the pitch after 26 minutes.
David Moyes reveals #SAFC agree to put the ball out in the 26th minute so John Terry could have his send off.
— Scott Wilson (@Scottwilsonecho) May 21, 2017
David Moyes: "We knew it was coming, and we agreed to put the ball out. It was Diego Costa that actually asked Jordan to kick the ball out."
— Scott Wilson (@Scottwilsonecho) May 21, 2017
“We knew it was coming, and we agreed to put the ball out. It was Diego Costa that actually asked Jordan (Pickford) to kick the ball out,” Moyes told reporters after the 5-1 defeat.
Moyes was willing to accommodate Terry, but according to several Sunderland fans, he didn’t applaud the travelling fans.
That really is the cherry on the top of what has been an awful season for Moyes, who was about to become Manchester United manager this time four years ago.
We might not ever see Terry in the Premier League again, and it could be a long time before Moyes returns to the top flight of English football.
Moyes couldn't show any respect to the fans & clap them after a season of shite, but agrees to putting the ball out for John Terry. Fuck off
— Gary Wilkinson (@GazWilko86) May 21, 2017
Moyes refuses to show appreciation to Sunderland fans after a season of shit then agrees to put the ball out so Terry can have a send off
— Lee Foster ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ (@max9791) May 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/Deanospamoni85/status/866326246275387392
Moyes shows total lack of respect to Sunderland fans by not acknowledging us. He's lost our trust full stop.
— Colin Teer-safc64 (@ColinTeer) May 21, 2017
