No blame on Phil Jagielka for Stoke defeat, says Everton FC boss David Moyes

03 January 2011 07:00
DAVID MOYES insists Phil Jagielka can shoulder no blame for his side's inability to deal with the aerial bombardment that condemned them to defeat by Stoke City.[LNB]The England defender put the ball past his own goalkeeper to seal Everton's fate during the demoralising 2-0 loss at the Britannia stadium, his second own goal in the last three games.[LNB]But Moyes acknowledged that the 28-year-old played through the pain barrier to answer his call for solidity against Stoke's physical presence, and deserves credit for his attitude.[LNB]He said: 'He didn't kick a lot of balls with his right foot today because he's got a thigh strain so, he really wanted to come out and play and we have to give him a lot of credit.[LNB] 'We needed him today because otherwise we would have had to come here with Tony Hibbert at centre-half which against their size would have been really difficult.[LNB]'It's one of these things. Defenders are liable to score goals if you're in there and trying to block things and be in the right place.[LNB]'Jags did great. He put himself up, he could have probably done with a few more days if not longer to get himself fully fit.'[LNB]Moyes was keen to defend his team's display against Tony Pulis' side, which saw the Toffees drop to 13th in the Premier League.

Source: Liverpool_Echo