Jag’s lightening-bolt gives Blues share of points
Article by Paul Conatzer @TOFFEEPAULFollow e-Everton on Twitter
Phil Jagielka’s 30-yard half-volley in injury time gave Everton a share of the points in a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
The Everton skipper isn’t one of those defenders who scores reguluary, but the seventh of his league career for Everton is a candidate for Goal of the Season. Aiden McGeady’s cross was headed out and Jagielka pounced on it and smashed it goalward. Simon Mignolet couldn’t stop it and the only thing that stopped it flying into the Kop was the net.
"It was a special strike and he (Phil Jagielka) deserves it. He has been getting a lot of stupid criticism. We saw a man who faces adversity full on,” Everton manager Roberto Martinez.
Jagielka and John Stones proved to be a solid partnership in the centre of defense and the fact that Everton has two wins and one draw while allowing only two goals in the matches the pair has played together must mean something.
Jagielka was pleased with the result of his goal.
“Going into the last few minutes 1-0 down and to get a point is fantastic,” he said.
It was a tale of two captains as Steven Gerrard put Liverpool ahead at 65 minutes, with a free-kick after an iffy-foul on Mario Balotelli, who spent almost as much time falling down as he did anything else.
The Blues gave Muhamed Besic a start on the left side of midfield and Hibbert filled in for Seamus Coleman. Everton’s attacking width was dealt a blow when Kevin Mirallas hobbled of with a hamstring injury just when he was starting to make some dangerous runs.
The first half finished 0-0 with Liverpool dominating in possession and scoring chances. Howard made some good saves. Both teams had solid penalties shouts turned down.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was upset with the result.
“We were the dominant team,” he said.
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