JACK RODWELL feared his encouraging start to the season would be wiped out by his Merseyside derby red card nightmare.

Rodwell was controversially dismissed midway through the first half of the Goodison clash against Liverpool earlier this month, with Everton FC going on to lose 2-0.

The midfielder was facing a three-match ban after grasping his first-team opportunity following the deadline day departure of Mikel Arteta.

However, the red card was overturned on appeal and Rodwell went on to make his 100th Everton appearance at Chelsea last Saturday.

And Rodwell admitted: “I was thinking ‘I have been in the team and have started the season fairly well’ so a three-game ban would have been really bad timing.

“It was still very disappointing for me. At the time I couldn’t believe the red card came out.

“I thought I had let my team-mates down and cost us the game but when you look at it again you can see it is not my fault.

“The lads helped me and gave me plenty of support and that made a big difference.

“Thankfully the red card was rescinded – everyone makes mistakes – and I can now concentrate on staying in the team.”