Phil Jagielka happy with new role on the right

Oct 29 2007 by Chris Beesley, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton FC's Phil Jagielka _180

EVERTON utility man Phil Jagielka was delighted to return to the side in a new position and help his team to victory at both ends of the pitch at Derby County.

The summer recruit from Sheffield United was left out of the UEFA Cup triumph over Larissa on Thursday after playing in central midfield during the Merseyside derby.

But, with Tony Hibbert and Phil Neville suspended, Jagielka was recalled at right-back for the 2-0 win at Pride Park yesterday and as well as helping his side to a clean sheet, he provided the pass that led to Everton’s opening goal.

All this was achieved despite the setback of being booked early on for a late challenge on Giles Barnes but Jagielka showed good strength of character to recover and play a crucial role in the game.

He said: “The gaffer’s going to change things with the amount of games we’ve got so you’ve got to be patient and take your chance.

“I didn’t do myself any favours, I shouldn’t have committed the foul but I got the booking and stayed on the park for the rest of the game so I’ll take a plus out of that.

“The boys got behind me. The way we played helped, we weren’t under that much pressure. They put a few crosses in during the first half but apart from that we were quite solid.

“When you’ve Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman to pass to, it makes your life a lot easier.

“It’s nice to be behind Mikel because he’s prepared to work back as well. He’s good going forward and even if there’s three men around him he’ll still want the ball and be able to keep it.”

Everton took the lead when Mikel Arteta slotted home Jagielka’s searching ball upfield which had been cleverly dummied by Yakubu and from then on Everton never looked back.

Jagielka said: “It was fantastic brains from the Yak when he let the ball run perfectly on to Mikel and there was never any doubt that when he got into that situation it was going to be a goal.

“The style of football might have looked like we’d cruised through the game but we defended excellently.

“Joey Yobo, Joleon (Lescott) and (Alan) Stubbs plus Leighton Baines in the first half were all excellent.

“The gaffer’s brought a lot more flair in with the likes of Steven Pienaar and Yakubu while Victor Anichebe’s coming of age. So while we’ve got a lot more threats going forward, we don’t want to lose our solidity at the back.”

The game saw Jagielka playing alongside Tim Cahill in an Everton jersey for the first time and Jagielka admitted he and his team-mates are delighted to see Cahill back.

He said: “I’ve played against Timmy a few times and I’ve had to mark him so the banter has been there. He did fall and hurt his foot at our place and I did help him off and we’ve got on fine.

“He’s a nice guy and a very good player. The squad have had a nice little buzz with having him back because he gives us something different. Hopefully I’ll be helping him by passing the ball than helping him off the pitch from now on.”