Phil Jagielka: ‘Players also to blame’

Everton captain Phil Jagielka insists the players must share the blame for the team’s stuttering season alongside coach Roberto Martinez.

The Toffees are currently 12th in the Premier League standings after winning just nine of their 28 top-flight games to date this season, although they did book their place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a hard fought 2-0 victory over Chelsea at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Martinez’ side also reached the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup earlier in the season, but inconsistencies in the league have led some fans to question the manager’s credentials going forward.

Those questions have gathered pace following the arrival of new majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri, but Jagielka insists it is not just down to the manager, as the players must shoulder some of the responsibility.

He said: “You can’t throw all the blame the manager’s way. There has to be a pretty even split between him and the players.”

The England international believes the cup success on Saturday can be a catalyst to the team enjoying a successful end to the campaign, as the Toffees aim to win their first major trophy since 1995.

He continued: “It’s the way it’s gone for us, we’ve had disappointments and reacted well to them. We did that, and being in the quarter-final of the cup made it that much more special.”

Everton will face either West Ham or Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-finals next month and they are available at 3.50 to secure overall glory in the competition this season.