Phil Jagielka’s top-corner belter earns Everton EPL draw against Liverpool at Anfield

EVERTON captain Phil Jagielka scored a sensational 92nd-minute equaliser to earn his side a 1-1 draw against derby rivals Liverpool at Anfield.

Liverpool v Everton - Premier League

EVERTON captain Phil Jagielka scored a sensational 92nd-minute equaliser to earn his side a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

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Steven Gerrard had put Liverpool ahead with a 65th-minute free-kick, but he was upstaged in injury time when his former England colleague Jagielka drove an exquisite half-volley into the top-right corner.

And his manager, Roberto Martinez, couldn’t stop raving about it.

“I don’t think I’ve seen a better strike in live football,” Martinez said.

“It had to be incredible to go in the top corner and it was.

Phil Jagielka is swamped by his teammates after his last-minute heroics.

“The way he adjusted his body is very impressive. And to get that power almost off the outside of his laces - it’s some strike.

“Phil has had a lot of unfair criticism from the outside recently and there is no better way to respond to adversity than that, because defensively he also played an important role for us today.”

The 32-year-old’s memorable strike means Liverpool have now gone three league games without victory and manager Brendan Rodgers definitely felt aggrieved.

“We didn’t get what we deserved,” said Rodgers.

“It was very clear that we were much the better side today. When you concede a goal like that so late on, it epitomises the luck that went against us today. But I’m certainly very proud of the players.

“I thought the intensity was getting back up to near where we have been for 19 months.

Tactically, I thought we were very good in the game. Any moments to defend, we defended very well. We took the lead, we should have arguably had at least two more and we should have had a penalty.

“It was disappointing, but I think the performance, which I’m clearly looking to at the moment, was at a much better level than we have been at.

“I never felt in any danger during the game. I think the organisation of the players was very good. They had good concentration. I always felt that with the ball we were a real threat going forward. But when you conceded so late on like that, into injury-time, it’s a little bit frustrating.”

Rodgers also praised his skipper Gerrard after the 34-year-old’s early-season form attracted criticism in some quarters.

“Stevie’s such a selfless guy. He was letting Mario take a few (free-kicks) in the first half and I was screaming on for him to take it, because he’s got so much quality,” he said.

“But he would rather, at times, let other people have an opportunity. He’s shown many a time over the years that’s his range. When he took it, it was a goal that should have won the game.

But it was a wonderful free-kick and I thought his performance today was outstanding.”