By Luke Reddy
24 Apr 2011 20:26:00
Phil Jagielka of Everton (Getty Images)
Related Links
Teams
Players
Everton boss David Moyes believes Phil Jagielka is one of the best centre-halves in the country after watching the England international excel again in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
Jagielka accompanied Sylvain Distin at the heart of the Everton back four during the defeat and the pair came within seven minutes of shutting out the league leaders – only for Mexican striker Javier Hernandez to grab a late winner.
Despite the late heartache, Moyes was thrilled with the performance of the former Sheffield United man.
“You saw again that Jagielka is a very good defender,” said Moyes. “He has great recovery.
“He is athletic and at grounds like Old Trafford, where Manchester United are quick to make through passes, he is able to cope with it.
“He is in the top three or four centre-halves in England – and England have some good centre-halves.”
Hernandez’s strike at Old Trafford represented the first goal leaked by the Toffees defence in over 270 minutes of play after Jagielka and his team-mates kept clean sheets in recent victories over Wolves and Blackburn.
The 28-year-old now has eight caps for his country and after recovering from a cruciate knee injury in 2010 has managed 29 appearances for the Blues this term.
