Jags Bemoans 'Soft' Spot-Kick

Stand-in skipper says penalty changed flow of the game.

Phil Jagielka felt a 'soft' penalty decision changed the flow of Saturday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City, denying the Blues what would have been a fifth win in six trips to the reigning Barclays Premier League champions.

Referee Lee Probert awarded Roberto Mancini's side a spot-kick two minutes before the end of the first half after spotting a tug on Edin Dzeko by Marouane Fellaini.

Jagielka admitted there may have been some grappling between the Belgian and the Bosnian but insisted it was the type of two-way tussle that is often overlooked by officials.

"We're pleased but a little bit frustrated," the stand-in skipper told evertontv. "We played really well in the first half, stuck to our game plan and didn't give them too many opportunities.

"From our point of view, a bit of a soft penalty got them back in the game and then we spent most of the second half defending, as you expect to when you come to the home of the champions.

"Maybe it was a little bit of a pull but it happens all the time and you see a lot of them not given. But a point at Manchester City is still a good point for us and we'll look forward to the next game."

The draw was Everton's third in eight days after they recorded successive 1-1 scorelines against Arsenal and Norwich.

And Jagielka admitted fatigue may have led to the Blues coming under increasing pressure as the game went on.

"We were a little bit tired," he said. "We had a big game Wednesday as well so we've had a busy week.

"With them being able to freshen up and bring on the sort of quality they can bring on, they kept us camped in our own half in the second half and we struggled to get out at times.

"But I don't think they created too many clear cut chances and our goalkeeper came to our aid a couple of times, but you'll take that, especially when you're defending a point."